In a recent development, the Shinde government of Maharashtra has decided to rename the cities of Aurangabad & Osmanabad. The resolution to rename the two cities was first filed in the month of July in the year 2022. Following this, the resolution was sent to the Central government for approval. Now, almost a year later, the government has given this move a green light. Hence, the two cities are now being renamed.
Aurangabad & Osmanabad Renamed By Shinde Government
The two old cities will no more go by their old name. The city that was hitherto known as Aurangabad will now be called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Furthermore, the erstwhile city of Osmanabad will now be called Dharashiv.
When the initial proposal was made in the June of 2022, Uddhav Thackeray was still the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and hadn’t resigned yet. The proposal was made under the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Since then, the proposal was pending approval.
The government resolution was passed on the 16th of July by a two-member cabinet comprising Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis. This proposal was then forwarded to the centre. Now, almost a year after the proposal was sent, the central government has given its approval.
Decision Met With Criticism
Every time there has been a renaming of places, the decision is always met with some resistance and criticism. This time is no different either. The Shinde government has been criticised for renaming the two cities as the act is seen by many as ultimately pointless.
Many political parties in the opposition, too, have criticised the government for engaging in pointless identity politics by renaming these two cities. The act is seen by many as part of an ongoing attempt to saffronise the history of India.
Aurangabad is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He is responsible for the death of Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Shivaji Maharaj. Hence, the city will now be renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
Osmanabad, on the other hand, is named after the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. The new name of the city, Dharashiv, comes from the caves in the city that date back to the sixth century.
Also Read: These Cities And Towns In India Were Renamed In The Last 5 Years
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