The names and symbols of Mughals should be “uprooted and thrown away,” said Amrit Udyan, leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari after six gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan including the famed Mughal Gardens renamed as Amrit Udyan.
“They (Mughals) killed so many Hindus and destroyed temples. All the places named after them should be identified and renamed. We will remove all British and Mughal names within a week if BJP comes to power in Bengal,” Adhikari told ANI news agency.
The Mughal Gardens derived its name from the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar and was one of the key attractions for visitors to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The BJP-led Union and state governments have renamed several landmarks and places in recent years, especially those linked Mughal rule and Muslim history of India.
The opposition said the government should focus on job creation and controlling inflation instead.
“Rashtrapati Bhavan is home to a rich variety of gardens. Originally, they included East Lawn, Central Lawn, Long Garden and Circular Garden. During the term of former Presidents Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Shri Ram Nath Kovind, more gardens were developed, namely, Herbal-I, Herbal-II, Tactile Garden, Bonsai Garden and Arogya Vanam. On the occasion of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the President of India is pleased to give a common name to the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens as ‘Amrit Udyan’,” said a communique from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
