Political Debate Ignited by BJP's Proposal to Rename Nizamabad District
The BJP's recent proposal to rename Nizamabad district to Indore has stirred significant political debate in Telangana. MP Dharmapuri Arvind argues that names linked to the Nizam era symbolize a painful past and should be changed to reflect cultural pride. This has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leaders, who accuse the BJP of creating unnecessary controversy and attempting to divide the nation. The discussion raises broader questions about identity politics and the secular character of India, with warnings about potential law and order issues arising from such proposals. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of this debate could resonate beyond Telangana.
Jan 10, 2026, 12:54 IST
BJP's Proposal to Rename Nizamabad Sparks Controversy
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reignited political discussions in Telangana by proposing to rename Nizamabad district to Indore. Recently, MP Dharmapuri Arvind stated that the party intends to change the district's name, as names associated with the Nizam era reflect a painful history. While addressing party workers, Arvind emphasized that such names symbolize oppression and suffering, advocating for names that represent cultural pride and national identity.
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Supporting this statement, Telangana BJP President Ramchandra Rao spoke to a news agency, affirming that the party stands firmly with its Nizamabad MP. Rao reiterated that if the BJP comes to power, they will rename Nizamabad to Indore. He added that this proposal is not limited to Nizamabad alone, as many places in Telangana still bear names from the Nizam regime, which he described as filled with atrocities. According to him, these names serve as reminders of that era, making it essential to change them. He noted that not only Nizamabad but several other cities in Telangana also require name changes.
The Congress party has strongly criticized these statements. Former MP and senior Congress leader Hanumanth Rao accused Dharmapuri Arvind of unnecessarily raising new issues and attempting to divide the nation. He pointed out that Nizamabad had different historical names and that various governments have been in power since independence, yet none have changed the city's name. Rao alleged that the BJP is deliberately creating controversy by announcing name changes before coming to power. He emphasized that during the independence struggle, people of all religions, castes, and communities fought together for the country, asserting that India is a secular nation and cannot be transformed into a Hindu nation.
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Rao warned that such statements could lead to law and order issues and urged the Telangana government to pay attention to this matter. He cautioned that similar demands might arise, including calls to rename historical sites like Charminar or Osmania University. He stated that raising unnecessary issues is not appropriate. Accusing the BJP of using identity-based politics for electoral gain, Rao remarked that India is home to diverse cultures and religions. He further claimed that while Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister, the real power lies with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, insisting that the secular character of India cannot be altered.