Lucknow: The Yogi-led Uttar Pradesh government, on Tuesday, cleared a proposal to rename the city of ‘Allahabad’ as ‘Prayagraj’, despite the protests of the opposition.
After the cabinet meeting, state health minister Sidharth Nath Singh announced the development.
Prior to the announcement, during his visit to Allahabad, CM Yogi had informed that there was a proposal in motion to rename Allahabad as ‘Prayagraj’ ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela. He reasoned that Prayag was the first spot where Lord Brahma performed his first yagna.
Many have criticised the government for the move. Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav has even called it a show of power by ‘today’s rulers’ and that they were playing with traditions and beliefs.
The city of Allahabad’s ancient name was ‘Prayag’, but it was renamed after the 16th century Mughal emperor Akbar founded a fort near the Ganga and Yamuna known as the Sangam. He then named the fort and its surroundings ‘Illahabad’. The name was once again changed to Allahabad by the emperor’s grandson emperor Shah Jahan, however, the area near the Sangam still continues to be called Prayag.
