Maharashtra Chief Minister Takes Stand on IIT Name Change
In a significant development that has reignited political tensions, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that he will formally request Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to officially rename IIT Bombay as IIT Mumbai. The statement came during a media interaction in Nagpur and has quickly become the centerpiece of an ongoing debate about regional identity and colonial legacy.
Political Context Behind the Renaming Demand
The chief minister's announcement was prompted by recent criticism from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who had accused the BJP of undermining Mumbai's identity. Thackeray's comments came after Union Minister Jitendra Singh thanked the education ministry for "keeping the name IIT Bombay as it is" during an event in Mumbai. This remark triggered Thackeray to allege that the BJP was attempting to assert control over Mumbai and eventually the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region, strategically linking it with Gujarat.
In a visible display of protest, MNS workers had put up posters outside the premier institute proclaiming it as 'IIT Mumbai,' arguing that the current name - rooted in the colonial era - no longer reflects the city's contemporary identity. The political movement gained momentum, forcing the chief minister to address the issue directly.
BJP's Historical Stance on Name Changes
Fadnavis strongly dismissed the criticism as selective and politically motivated, emphasizing his party's long-standing commitment to replacing colonial-era names. "Those flaying BJP should remember that Bombay was renamed as Mumbai due to the efforts of former BJP minister Ram Naik," the chief minister stated firmly. He added, "For us in BJP, it's Mumbai only and not Bombay. We are making continuous efforts to end all signs of Bombay and it should be replaced with Mumbai."
The chief minister also took an indirect swipe at Raj Thackeray, remarking that some leaders who are vocal about the IIT controversy "did not make any attempts to change the names of the (convent) schools in which their children were studying." This comment highlighted what Fadnavis perceived as hypocrisy in the political criticism.
Broader Political Implications
Beyond the naming controversy, Fadnavis addressed several other political matters during the Nagpur interaction. When questioned about Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders being largely absent from the civic poll campaign, he asserted that "in democracy, one must go to the people and seek their votes. Sitting at home is not democracy."
Regarding social activist Anjali Damania's warning that she would approach Union Home Minister Amit Shah if Fadnavis didn't seek Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's resignation following the Pune land deal controversy involving Parth Pawar, the chief minister said he had "no information" about the matter.
On Constitution Day, celebrated on November 26, Fadnavis praised the Indian Constitution as "the world's best one" that has "granted rights and liberty to the last man" and made "even a person from backward classes India's Prime Minister in the form of Narendra Modi."
The IIT Bombay renaming issue continues to symbolize deeper political undercurrents in Maharashtra, representing the ongoing tension between regional identity and national institutions, while highlighting the BJP's consistent position on replacing colonial-era nomenclature with indigenous names.
