A political row has erupted in West Bengal’s Birbhum district after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA renamed a road that had previously been named after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The road has now been named after Jana Sangh founder Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, drawing strong criticism from the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The road, located in Ward No. 4 of Rampurhat Municipality, was earlier known as “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road”. Recently, Rampurhat BJP MLA Dhrubo Saha unveiled a new nameplate identifying it as “Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road”.
TMC Calls Move An Insult To Netaji
The renaming has triggered protests by local TMC leaders and workers. They accused the BJP of trying to erase history and use the names of respected Bengali figures for political gains.
TMC leaders also alleged that the road was renamed without informing the municipality or seeking the views of local residents. They demanded that the original name of the road be restored immediately.
The controversy has also drawn a reaction from BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh. Speaking to Times Now, Ghosh indirectly criticised the move and said that such actions should not be taken if they can create unnecessary controversy among people.
“I am not supporting this controversy. Both of them are pride and sons of this soil of Bengal,” Ghosh said, referring to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
The latest controversy has once again brought the issue of naming public places after political and historical figures into focus in West Bengal.
The BJP has in recent years sought to highlight the legacy of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in the state. The Centre had earlier renamed Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. There have also been demands in the past to rename Sealdah station after him.
The road renaming in Rampurhat has now added another chapter to the political debate, with the TMC demanding that Netaji’s name be restored.
(With bureau inputs)