No Prayagraj Moment For Shimla: CM Jai Ram Thakur Says Not Considering Proposal To Rename It As Shyamala

Recently there was a buzz about the possibility of the Government of Himachal Pradesh renaming its capital Shimla to Shyamala. The Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has now issued a clarification that his government isn’t considering any such move.

Financial Express quoted him as saying that, “Let me make it clear that the government is not considering a proposal to rename Shimla as Shyamala. We had received a suggestion to rename Shimla and it is our duty to hear all suggestions.”

Several organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had issued several statements calling for the renaming of several cities in the state, since the current names date back to colonial era. Just about a week ago, BJP Minister Vipin Singh Parmar expressed his government’s interest in renaming Shimla, and told that if that is the mandate of the citizens, their government shall be open to fulfilling the demand.

This was criticised by many in the opposition, leading to the proposal being termed as “absurd and totally unacceptable.” This move is said to have inspired by UP government’s renaming of Allahabad to Prayagraj.