Should the Gateway of India be renamed? Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raj Purohit has demanded that the iconic Gateway of India should be renamed as ‘Bharat Dwar’. But why? Because he feels that the present name ‘Gateway of India’ is a symbol of slavery. “This monument is a symbol of slavery under the British rule. By renaming it we will be paying tributes to the martyrs of freedom struggle,” Raj Purohit said in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Purohit said that he met the Maharashtra Chief Minister to convey his demand and has been assured action. “I met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today and submitted a letter stating my demand. He said he will look into the matter and forward my letter to the chief secretary,” Purohit said.
Also Read: Mumbai man stops a couple from kissing in public. What happened next will shock you!
Recalling the instances in the past where names have been changed, he questioned why the name of Gateway of India should not be renamed. “We have renamed Bombay to Mumbai, Malabar Hill to Walkeshwar and Victoria Terminus to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Why should this monument, which reminds us of slavery under the British rule, not be renamed,” Purohit said.
Built in 1924, Gateway of India is one of the most distinguished landmarks in Mumbai. It is also a popular tourist destination in the financial capital of the country. The monument is an arch of yellow basalt and solid concrete and is a beautiful confluence of Indian, Arabic and Western architecture.
Also Read: Fishy tale: Man catches fish on Mumbai’s flooded road. Photos go viral
Located at Apollo Bunder waterfront, it overlooks the Arabian Sea. Its foundation was laid in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. But it was only 13 years later that it was inaugurated in 1924.
For interesting news videos from InUth, follow us on Youtube.com/InUthdotcom
