More than 80 years after Lokmanya Tilak’s bronze statue was installed at Girgaum Chowpatty, the government’s decision to rename it as Swarajya Bhoomi has not only split the alliance partners in the government but is also being fiercely opposed by citizens.
From ordinary people to concerned activists, they are calling it an attempt to wipe out the “cultural history” of Mumbai.
Many feel that the move to rename Mumbai’s oldest beach after Lokmanya Tilak is self-defeating as in popular parlance it will still be known by its old name. “They are within their right to rename Girgaum Chowpatty, but I don’t think it will have any impact on the people. They always go by the name that is most commonly used,” said Sudhir Badami, an activist and transport analyst from Mumbai.
Several members of the Bombay High Court-appointed committee for the preservation of Girgaum Chowpatty had opposed the move in its meetings.
Indrani Malkani, one of the members, told The Hindu: “Personally I oppose changing the name. There is more history attached to the place than the cremation of Lokmanya Tilak. It is the area with which the chowpatty is identified so the renaming is inappropriate,” she said.
Another member, Rajan Jaykar, an advocate, said changing the name would mean “tampering with the cultural history of Girgaum.” The committee’s opposition was, however, ignored by the government.
Pankaj Joshi, executive director of the Urban Development Research Institute, said removing Girgaum would amount to tampering with the cultural heritage of the city.
“No one is disrespecting Lokmanya Tilak by opposing the name. But the original name is connected with the beach right from the beginning and is witness to the city’s growth. Removing it won’t serve any purpose.”
Interestingly, Tilak’s grandson Jayantrao Tilak, who was the chairman of the Maharashtra legislative council for 16 years, never made a demand to rename the chowpatty although he renovated the statue and the surrounding area.
Championing the cause At the forefront to change the name is the Lokmanya Tilak Swarajya Bhoomi Samiti. “We feel that Tilak’s work is being sidelined and he needs to be recognised for his work towards the country’s freedom. Renaming the chowpatty will be a small gesture in appreciation of his sacrifice,” said Prakash Silam of the samiti.
“Besides, Tilak’s last rites were performed here and his memorial, too, is located at the chowpatty.” The samiti has also written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that the Mumbai bungalow of Mohammad Ali Jinnah be given to it. It cited cordial relations between Tilak and Jinnah to make the claim.
Girgaum finds a mention in history books, denoting that the name has been in use for hundreds of years. Mumbaiche Varnan – one of the oldest Marathi books on Mumbai written in 1863 – describes the city’s iconic Girgaum Chowpatty as a place with a “thin population and coconut trees.” The village at the base of the Malabar Hill was named Girgaum. ‘Giri’ in Marathi stands for hill.
The chowpatty’s Tilak connection is strong. The freedom fighter’s last rites were performed at the chowpatty in view of the unprecedented turnout of supporters. A bronze statue of his was placed at the chowpatty in 1933.
Renaming Trend
Many names associated with the past have been changed in the city
| 1995: Bombay renamed Mumbai |
| 1996: Victoria Terminus renamed Chhatrapati Sivaji Mahaaj Terminus |
| 1996: Sahar International airport became Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport |
| 2000: Prince of Wales Museum renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vasty Sangrahalay |
