Resolution to rename Jammu’s Sheikh Nagar, Amphalla Chowk passed

HT Correspondents

SRINAGAR: Sheikh Nagar in Jammu could soon be called Shiv Nagar, and Amphalla Chowk could be renamed as Hanuman Chowk, if a resolution passed at the Jammu Municipal Corporation is accepted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration. The opposition has strongly criticised the move.

Sharda Kumari, a Bharatiya Janata Party councillor from ward 47 where Sheikh Nagar is located, moved the resolution seeking the change in names at the 16th general house meeting of the municipality held at the Jammu town hall on Saturday.

Sheikh Nagar is named after Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, founder of the National Conference party, which said the renaming will not erase the role of their leader from the hearts of the people.

Mayor Chander Mohan Gupta had informed on Saturday that the municipal corporation has passed a resolution to change the names. The BJP holds majority in the corporation.

The resolution will now be sent to the civil secretariat of Jammu and Kashmir for approval.

NC chief spokesman Tanveer Sadik described the move as an attempt to communalise and erase history. “You cannot erase the contributions and historical significance of Sher-i-kashmir Sheikh Abdullah by petty name changing gimmicks. If they feel that this will favour their narrow communal agenda, they are mistaken. Sheikh Abdullah has been popular both in Jammu and Kashmir... he lives in the hearts of the people and the very same people who are doing this will regret these decisions in future.”

“Amid the situation across the country, the resolution by the corporation should not come as a surprise,” said Firdous Tak, former legislator and spokesperson of Peoples Democratic Party. “The BJP run states are in a rat race to prove which one of them is more communal than the other.”

“They are making a mockery of themselves. They have reduced themselves to subject of ridicule,” former education minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Harsh Dev Singh said.