Raj Thackeray opposes move to rename Dadar station as 'Chaityabhoomi'

As the battle for Dalit votes ahead of the civic elections in Maharashtra got interesting amid reports that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP is mulling a resolution on renaming Dadar railway station here as 'Chaityabhoomi' station, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said he was opposed to any such move.

"I am opposed to renaming of any sort. What issues are going to be resolved by renaming," Raj told reporters at a hurriedly convened press conference, also in Dadar area.

'Chaityabhoomi' is the memorial of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar (he was cremated there in 1956), near Dadar railway station in central Mumbai. Lakhs gather at Chaityabhoomi to remember Ambedkar, father of the constitution, on his death anniversary each year.

"It is natural that names given by the British are changed. But why step into controversy by changing names given by our own people," the MNS chief said. "I am opposed to the politics of changing names of our own people, given by our own people," he added.

Dalits are wise and they know what sort of politics is going on (over the renaming issue), Raj said.

"Marathwada University was renamed. Has any system changed," he asked. "Build something which will be a tribute to the great personalities. But I am opposed to renaming of any sort," he said, adding "Please don't use Mahatmas for politics."

"What Ambedkar has created, written nobody wants to discuss. Only renaming is discussed. What issues are going to be resolved by renaming," he said.