Jamal Siddiqui, the president of the BJP’s Minority Morcha, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the government to rename India Gate as "Bharat Mata Dwar."
Siddiqui believes that the monument, which stands as a symbol of India's identity on the global stage, should reflect the nation's rich heritage.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Siddiqui emphasised that India Gate is not just an iconic structure but a symbol of the country’s pride and history.
He argued that renaming it would send a positive and meaningful message to visitors from across the world.
India Gate, with its engravings commemorating the sacrifices of countless martyrs, holds deep significance for the Indian populace. Siddiqui views the renaming as a tribute to these martyrs and believes it would inspire both the youth and the nation as a whole.
Siddiqui also drew attention to Prime Minister Modi’s previous actions in reshaping India’s historical narrative. He recalled that under Modi’s leadership, the statue of King George V was replaced with that of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a gesture that was never realised during the Congress’s seven-decade rule.
According to Siddiqui, the Prime Minister's decision to replace symbols of colonial rule with those representing India's heroes is a step towards re-establishing the nation's pride.
In his discussion with the news agency, Siddiqui expressed confidence that PM Modi would soon take action on this request. He reassured that no objections would arise from this renaming, as it would be widely accepted across the country.
Siddiqui stressed that the change would align with the Modi government's efforts to heal the wounds of India's colonial past, particularly the period of Mughal invasions and British rule.
Siddiqui also highlighted other symbolic changes made by the Modi government, which he believes are consistent with the spirit of renaming India Gate. The road named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, for instance, was renamed as APJ Kalam Road in honour of the former President of India.
Additionally, the statue of King George V, which had stood at India Gate, was replaced by a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The empty canopy that housed George V’s statue since its removal in 1968 is now home to Bose’s statue, further solidifying the Modi government's commitment to reshaping the nation's historical narrative.
Another significant change noted by Siddiqui was the renaming of Raj Path to Kartavya Path, reflecting India's cultural heritage. He argued that renaming India Gate to Bharat Mata Dwar would be in line with these moves to reflect Indian culture and values.
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