The Indore Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh has removed signboards bearing disputed street names in Muslim-majority areas. This action was taken after BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya alleged that these signboards were illegally installed and associated with a particular religion.
Indore: The Indore Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh has removed signboards displaying new names of roads in Muslim-dominated areas. The signboards were allegedly controversial because the roads had been illegally renamed. Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's son and BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya raised objections to this matter, stating that the names of these roads were associated with a particular religion.
Akash Vijayvargiya wrote a letter to Municipal Commissioner Shivam Verma claiming that signboards showing illegally changed names had been installed on some roads in Chandan Nagar without the administration's knowledge.
How the Matter Arose
In some areas of Chandan Nagar in Indore, the Municipal Corporation had installed new signboards instead of the old names. These signboards displayed two names for the street. For example: '‘Raza Gate' was written alongside '‘Loha Gate Road.'’ Similarly, '‘Sakina Manzil Road' was written alongside '‘Chandan Nagar Sector-B Ward No. 2.'’ Local residents say that these signboards were installed to guide the general public. In these areas, different names for the same road are often used, necessitating directional guidance.
BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya wrote a letter to Municipal Commissioner Shivam Verma alleging that these signboards contained names associated with a particular religion and that their installation without the administration's permission could create controversy. He warned that a fierce agitation would be launched if the signboards were not removed immediately.
Mayor Takes Cognizance
The Mayor of Indore, Pushyamitra Bhargava, said on Thursday (August 21st) that legal action would be taken against the ward councillor in this matter. He clarified that changing the name of any road or installing a board without the permission of the Municipal Corporation is illegal. Meanwhile, the councillor's husband, Rafiq Khan, has denied all the allegations. He says that his wife did not approve the new names in the Muslim-majority areas.
Rafiq Khan claimed that the Municipal Corporation had requested two years ago that street name boards be installed to help people find their way. Subsequently, the Municipal Corporation prepared and installed boards based on the old names. This controversy has also created political stirrings in the city. Akash Vijayvargiya raised it as an issue related to a specific religion, while the Municipal Corporation and the councillor maintained that it was done solely for public convenience and guidance.
Local citizens say that having two names for the streets helps them understand directions. If one name is removed, it may be difficult for people to reach the correct location.
