JD(U) dares federal minister to change Bakhtiyarpur name

BJP’s Giriraj wants towns, cities in Bihar named after invaders to be rechristened

Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal yesterday slammed BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh for demanding renaming of Bakhtiyarpur in Patna district.

JD (U) is ruling Bihar in alliance with the BJP.

Giriraj has demanded that Bakhtiyarpur and other towns and cities in Bihar named after Muslim invaders be rechristened, as is being done in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Bakhtiyarpur is ostensibly named after Bakhtiyar Khilji — the military general of QutbUd-Aibak — who destroyed the famed Nalanda University in the late 12th Century.

JD (U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh said: “There is no question of change of name of any district or town in Bihar.”

Sanjay Singh, considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, dared Giriraj to change the name of Bakhtiyarpur.

“Who is Giriraj Singh to change the name of Bakhtitarpur or any district of Bihar,” RJD leader Bhai Virender said.