In Delhi, members of a Buddhist organization staged a protest on March 28th by vandalizing road signboards named after Mughal and Delhi Sultanate rulers. The incident took place in Lutyens’ Delhi, where the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) manages the signboards. The protesters sprayed black paint on the original names and pasted new names of Hindu leaders, rulers, and freedom fighters over them.
What Exactly Happened?
According to reports by news agency PTI:
- The signboard on Shahjahan Road was renamed Veer Savarkar Marg.
- The board on Tughlak Lane was changed to Ahilya Bai Marg.
- On Akbar Road, the name Maharishi Valmiki Marg was pasted.
- Humayun Road was renamed Balasaheb Thackeray Marg.
NDMC has not yet responded to the incident.
Buddhist Organization’s Demand to PM Modi and Amit Shah
The Indian Buddhist Association’s President, Sanghpriya Rahul, made a statement during the protest:
- He demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah remove Mughal names from public places, as they represent a history of oppression.
- He emphasized that India does not need such names anymore.
Previous Incidents of Vandalism
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Delhi:
- On March 20th, the signboard of Akbar Road was also vandalized.
- Protesters were angry over damage to Maharana Pratap’s statue at Kashmiri Gate ISBT.
- Earlier, BJP leaders Dinesh Sharma and Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar changed the nameplate of their Tughlak Lane residence to Swami Vivekanand Marg.
The incident has sparked a debate on renaming roads and historical landmarks. Many are questioning the need for renaming while others support the removal of Mughal names to honor Indian heroes and freedom fighters.
