What's in a name? A lot of politics, it seems

The recent proposal to rename Malabar Hill to Ramnagari has started a debate on the need to rechristen the old places.

MNS leader Dilip Lande had moved a notice of motion in the BMC last month proposing the change of name. He had justified the move by saying ‘Malabar Hill’ was the name given by the British, and Lord Ram is believed to have stayed there on his way to find Sita.

Lande also said, “While the name is from the British Era, the place was used by pirates to look for ships to loot and return to hide in the area. These were called Malabaris at the time, which is why the area was called Malabar Hill.”

Lande added that Ram came here and created a shiv ling of sand, which is why the area is also called Walkeshwar.

Rahul Shewale, Shiv Sena leader and standing committee chairman, has proposed that Shivaji Park be renamed Shiv Tirth. “The park came into existence in 1927, the year Balasaheb was born. His political career evolved there and, all through his life, he referred to the park ‘Shiv Tirth’,” said Shewale.

Recently, controversy had erupted after MNS proposed naming the Eastern Freeway after the late Sena chief. However, NCP suggested Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s name for it.

Sociologists, however, believe that old places shouldn’t be renamed and that politicians are linking history and popular culture with politics just to gain political mileage.

“There is no need to change the names, we must preserve history. Instead of renaming places, politicians should follow the teachings and ideologies of their leader,” said PG Jogdand, head of sociology department, Mumbai University.