Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday speaking at an event has justified his government’s decision to restore the name of Prayagraj from Allahabad and slammed the detractors for questioning the decision. The Uttar Pradesh government had recently changed the name of Allahabad to its historic name ‘Prayagraj’.
Speaking at the Gyan Kumbh Sammelan at Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yoga Peeta in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, the Uttar Pradesh CM defended his government’s historic decision and said that people who question him regarding his decision should also question their parents on why their parents did not name them ‘Raavan’ or ‘Duryodhana’.
“Log keh rahe hain kyun naam badal diya, naam se kya hota hai? Maine kaha tumhare maa-baap ne tumhara naam Ravan aur Duryodhan kyun nahi rakh diya? (Critics are questioning about the purpose of restoring the names of cities. I am telling you to ask your parents on why they did not name you Ravan or Duryodhan”, Yogi Adityanath responded.
#WATCH UP CM Yogi Adityanath justifies name change of Allahabad to Prayagraj; says, “log keh rahe hain kyun naam badal diya, naam se kya hota hai? Maine kaha tumhare maa-baap ne tumhara naam Ravan aur Duryodhan kyun nahi rakh diya?” pic.twitter.com/qRfLNnjbOR
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 4, 2018
Name is very important, he said. “One of the most popular name in the country is Ram. Many people’s names are associated with Ram, especially in the scheduled caste. Every person associates Ram with himself. It is the name which associates us with our rich tradition. Hence, why should we not call it Prayagraj?” Yogi added.
The Uttar Pradesh in its historic decision had restored the name of Prayagraj ahead of 2019 Kumbh Mela. Before 1575 it was known as Prayag but when Mughal emperor Akbar visited it, he changed its name to Allahabad. After almost 450 years, it will now be known as Prayagraj again.
Reportedly, Yogi Adityanath is also busy making plans for Ayodhya which will be unveiled during Diwali. It is being reported that Yogi Adityanath will make some announcement regarding Ram Mandir, or a Statue of Ram to be built in Ayodhya. The UP Chief Minister had given a hint regarding the same yesterday when he said that work will start soon. He asked people to light a diya for Lord Ram this time and said that they have to take this after Diwali.
