Mumbai/Sangli: The Maharashtra Government’s announcement renaming Islampur in Sangli district to Ishwarpur has sparked sharp political reactions and reignited the debate on symbolism versus substance.
The decision, announced on the last day of the monsoon session, was taken at the state cabinet meeting and shared in the legislative assembly by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. The resolution will now be sent to the Centre for approval.
The name change comes in response to a long-pending demand by the Hindutva outfit Shiv Pratisthan, led by Sambhaji Bhide. The group had submitted a memorandum to the Sangli collectorate, pushing for the change, and vowed not to rest until it was done.
“This government is trying to mislead people by constantly changing names instead of focusing on real issues like employment, education, and healthcare,” said Congress MLA Amin Patel.
Echoing similar concerns, Congress leader Aslam Shaikh added, “Rename Islampur as Ishwarpur, do everything — but also work for the welfare of the city. There is no proper drinking water facility and roads there. No gardens, no playgrounds. People are living in bad to worse conditions. So, how long will you fool people like this?”
However, defending the decision on the renaming of Islampur to Ishwarpur, Minister Nitesh Rane said, "In Sangli, where today our Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has changed the name of Islampur to Ishwarpur. This has been a long-standing demand of the people there. All the Hindu organizations of that area had come together and even organized a morcha regarding this. I myself had participated in that morcha..."
