Delhi to be renamed Indraprastha? BJP MP writes to Amit Shah after Kerala's name change
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, proposing that India's national capital, Delhi, be renamed Indraprastha. This move follows the recent renaming of Kerala as "Keralam" by the central government. In his letter, Khandelwal argued that the current name, Delhi, reflects only a limited historical period and does not capture the city's ancient civilizational roots. He emphasized that Indraprastha would better represent Delhi's connection to its foundational heritage, symbolizing India's democratic seat as part of one of humanity's oldest cultural traditions.
Khandelwal highlighted archaeological evidence linking modern Delhi to the Pandavas' capital, mentioned in the Mahabharata, and pointed to excavations at Purana Qila that date back to around 1000 BCE. He also suggested specific changes, such as renaming Old Delhi Railway Station as "Indraprastha Junction" and Indira Gandhi International Airport as "Indraprastha Airport," while proposing statues of the Pandavas at key locations to educate future generations about the city's historical significance.
The MP noted that other Indian cities have already taken steps to reclaim their historical names, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Kashi. He argued that renaming Delhi would restore historical justice and strengthen national pride. The proposal comes after the Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Kerala to "Keralam" following a resolution passed by the state assembly in June 2024.
However, the move has sparked political debates, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioning why her state's request to rename West Bengal to "Bangla" remains pending. The Trinamool Congress has accused the central government of "vindictive discrimination," highlighting that West Bengal
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/25/2026