Of Patna and Azimabad…

A recent article by Shachi Rairikar commenting on Lalu Yadav’s demand for renaming Patna as Azimabad reminded me of one of my earlier posts about name changes and the question of identity: “Of Bangalore, Bengaluru and Fractured Identities“.

Shachi lambasts the demand and instead suggests “renaming Allahabad as Prayag, Ahmedabad as Karnavati and Muzaffarnagar as Laxminagar.”

She writes, “The names Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Muzaffarnagar as well as Azimabad are the grim reminders of the dark oppressive periods of Indian history when the most inhuman atrocities were committed on Hindus. Indians are under no obligation to carry the burden of the remnants of the periods of slavery.

They would welcome reverting to the original nomenclature that is representative of the days of freedom. The reinstating of the ancient names of these cities indicates liberation from servitude.”

I am very keen to hear readers views on this – in particular, readers who may disagree with the idea of changing place names.

P.S. This is a well-balanced comment on what Muslims living in Bihar actually think about Lalu’s move.

P.P.S. What %age of youngsters working in call centres and BPOs today would be able to tell the historical name of Patna? Guesses welcome.