The proposed renaming of Nagpur Raj Bhavan to "Lok Bhavan" has hit a procedural delay, with state officials awaiting the formal approval of Governor Acharya Devvrat. This change is part of a broader national initiative led by the Union Home Ministry to replace colonial-era terminology in official designations.
Central Directive Awaits Implementation
The Union Home Ministry issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories on November 25, recommending that the official residences and offices of Governors be rechristened as "Lok Bhavans." For Lieutenant Governors, the proposed new name is "Lok Niwas." The ministry clarified that this suggestion was made because the term 'Raj Bhavan' carries colonial connotations, and urged states to adopt the new terminology for all official communications and purposes.
Approval Process in Maharashtra
Officials in Mumbai confirmed that while the advisory from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been received, the Governor's office has not yet issued an official directive to proceed. Sources indicate that the communication arrived at a time when Governor Acharya Devvrat and Raj Bhavan Secretary Prashant Narnaware were attending an official event in Pune, which contributed to the immediate delay in processing the request.
Maharashtra has a total of four Raj Bhavans located in Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Mahabaleshwar. The renaming exercise is expected to encompass all these establishments once the necessary approvals are secured.
Roots in National Discussion
The MHA's letter, addressed to principal secretaries and secretaries of Governors and Lieutenant Governors nationwide, referenced discussions held during the 2024 Conference of Governors. This proposal marks a continued step in the central government's sustained effort to phase out remnants of colonial nomenclature from India's governance institutions and symbols.
State officials have indicated that once Governor Devvrat conveys his approval, the Maharashtra government is poised to issue the required official notification. This will formally clear the path for the renaming exercise to be executed across the state's four gubernatorial residences.
