In his typical style, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu floated the idea of Delhi being named either Indraprastha or Hastinapur on Tuesday during the discussion on The National Capital of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill which was later passed by the Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to regularise unauthorised colonies and rehabilitate slum dwellers in election-bound Delhi. Unauthorised colonies that have come up before June 1 this year will be regularised as per this Bill.
It was while replying to the discussion, in which all the seven MPs of Delhi participated, Mr. Naidu suggested that the names used in the Mahabharata for the region where Delhi stands now is more suitable for the capital.
‘Not proposing anything’However, conscious that this could stir up a controversy at a time when the Government is already drawing flak over religious conversions and celebrating Christmas as Good Governance Day, he clarified: “I am not proposing anything.”
Referring to the city’s multi-layered history flagged by Congressman Deepinder Hooda, the Minister said: “Sometimes I feel, instead of Delhi it should have been either Indraprastha or Hastinapura. Some such historical name should have been more appropriate for this city. But I am not proposing anything.”
