India News | Assam to Launch Portal Seeking Suggestions to Change Names of Places: CM

Guwahati, Feb 16 (PTI) Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said a portal would be soon launched inviting suggestions for change of names of places across Assam that do not reflect the culture and civilisation of the state.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Man Sets Car on Fire Over Old Enmity in Chhola; Jailed.

The chief minister had said on the occasion of the 'Bhumipujan' of the second medical college in Guwahati on Monday that some places, including Kala Pahar in Guwahati, will be renamed.

Also Read | NEET UG Counselling 2021: Registration for Round 2 Begins At mcc.nic.in, Here’s How to Register.

''There's much in a name. Name of a city, town or village should represent its culture, tradition and civilisation. We shall launch a portal to invite suggestions on change of names across Assam which are contrary to our civilisation, culture and derogatory to any caste or community'', the chief minister tweeted.

Referring to the Kala Pahar area, Sarma had said, “Kala Pahar had destroyed the Kamakhya Temple and there is no reason why any place should be named after him. We will change its name in consultation with people.”

Kala Pahar (born as Rajiblochan Roy who later converted to Islam) was a general of the Bengal Sultanate under whose orders the Kamakhya Temple was partially destroyed.

Several Twitter users, however, questioned the need for changing names when the government should be concentrating more on constructive work like building proper roads and good infrastructure in the state.

The Assam Cabinet had decided in September last to rename the Rajiv Gandhi National Park as Orang National Park.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)