The municipal body in Ghaziabad has included a proposal in their board meeting agenda to rename the district for the first time on Tuesday. This comes in response to persistent appeals from Hindu factions, resulting in two proposed names: 'Gajnagar' and 'Harnandi Nagar.'

Ahead of the assembly, BJP Councillor Sanjay Singh took the initiative to include the renaming discussion in the meeting's agenda. Given the saffron party's influential position in the corporation, Singh's proposal gained substantial support.

Speaking with the Times of India about his suggestion, Singh explained, “The board has accepted my proposal and will discuss it on Tuesday. Essentially, I have suggested two names – Gajnagar and Harnandi Nagar. Ghaziabad has a rich historical significance, and it is time for the city to have a name that truly reflects its importance.”

Ghaziabad

In the last two years, following the renaming of Allahabad to Prayagraj in 2018, there have been calls to rename Ghaziabad.

At the centre of this effort is Mahant Narayan Giri, the head priest of Dudheshwar Nath temple. In 2022, Giri met with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, submitting a memorandum outlining the community's aspirations. Giri shared, “The CM assured me he would carefully consider our requests. I proposed three potential names for Ghaziabad—Gajprastha, Dudheshwarath Nagar, or Harnandipuram,” as reported by TOI.

Addressing the question of why these names were proposed, Giri explained that in the Mahabharat, Ghaziabad's current area was once part of Hastinapur, located just 40km away. "This was a wooded region with diverse wildlife, including elephants. As Gaj means elephant, names like Gajpura or Gajnagar would be suitable," he said.

Referring to the UP District Gazetteers of Meerut, last published in 1966, Giri pointed out the mention of elephants in Mahabharata and Kalidasa's works. "The north of Hastinapur was known for extensive forests hosting numerous elephants. The names associated with this place often coincidentally relate to elephants," as detailed in the seventh edition of the Gazetteer.

Talking about the alternative option 'Harnandi Nagar', Giri linked the name to the Hindon river flowing past the city.

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