On September 16, 2023, the Union government of India approved the renaming of the cities of Aurangabad and Osmanabad in Maharashtra to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv, respectively. The decision was taken after the Maharashtra state government passed a resolution to rename the cities in July 2022.
The renaming of the cities has been a long-standing demand of the Shiv Sena and other Hindu nationalist groups. They argue that the original names of the cities are associated with Muslim rulers, and that they should be renamed after Hindu heroes.
Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who was a bitter enemy of the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Osmanabad is named after Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, who was a Muslim ruler.
The renaming of the cities has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have welcomed the move, while others have criticized it as a waste of time and money. Some people have also argued that the renaming of the cities is divisive and will create further tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
The Maharashtra government has defended the decision to rename the cities, arguing that it is a matter of cultural pride. The government has also said that the renaming of the cities will not have any impact on the lives of ordinary people.
The process of renaming the cities is now underway. The government will have to update all official records, including maps, signboards, and government documents. It is estimated that the process will take several months to complete.
The renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad is the latest in a series of name changes of cities and towns in India. In recent years, several cities and towns have been renamed after Hindu deities and heroes. The renaming of cities has become a contentious issue in India, with some people arguing that it is a necessary step to correct historical wrongs, while others argue that it is a divisive and pointless exercise.
What does the name change mean for the people of Aurangabad and Osmanabad?
The name change of Aurangabad and Osmanabad is likely to have a mixed impact on the people of these cities. Some people may feel a sense of pride and satisfaction that their city has been renamed after a Hindu hero. Others may feel that the name change is divisive and unnecessary.
The name change may also have some practical implications for people living in Aurangabad and Osmanabad. For example, they may need to update their official documents, such as their Aadhaar cards and driving licenses. They may also need to update their business cards and other promotional materials.
Overall, the impact of the name change on the people of Aurangabad and Osmanabad is likely to be mixed. Some people may welcome the change, while others may be indifferent or even opposed to it.
Resources:
- Union Gazette Notification (coming soon…)
- Maharashtra State Gazette Notification For Aurangabad:
- Maharashtra State Gazette Notification For Osmanabad:
