Taking exception to the government’s plans to rename Bijapur as Vijapur or Vijayapur, the Popular Front of India (PFI) has demanded that the original name be retained.
In a release here, the PFI said that for centuries, the city has been known as Bijapur, which is evident in the historical documents. The name Bijapur is known internationally too, and there is no need to change the name just to appease some sections of the society. The State already faces several problems that need immediate attention, the PFI said, adding that by bringing the matter of changing the names of the cities, the government was only trying to deviate from critical issues.
Asserting that the change of name would not bring about a change in people’s lives, the organization added that the city faces several problems such as load shedding, irregularities in distribution of ration under Anna Bhagya scheme and that farmers are not receiving better prices for their products.
In Bijapur city, long pending projects such as Under Ground Drainage, supply of 24X7 drinking water and improvement of the tourism sector were some of the other major issues that the government first needs to address.
Instead of focusing on such important aspects, the government was unnecessary creating controversy over names. The PFI demanded that the government drop the plan of changing Bijapur’s name urged the district administration to concentrate on giving better facilities to the people of the city.