Speaking in Nagpur, Devendra Fadnavis stressed that the BJP has consistently supported the use of “Mumbai” over “Bombay,” noting that former BJP leader Ram Naik played a key role in the city’s official name change in 1995
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state government will write to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and the Union Education Ministry, urging them to change the name of IIT-Bombay to IIT-Mumbai, reported PTI.
His remarks come amid a political row triggered by Union Minister Jitendra Singh’s comments on the institute’s nomenclature.
Speaking at an IIT-Bombay event on Monday, Singh had said, “Thank God it’s still called IIT Bombay and not Mumbai,” drawing criticism from MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who said the remark reflected the Centre’s mindset.
Responding to the issue in Nagpur, Fadnavis stressed that the BJP has consistently supported the use of “Mumbai” over “Bombay,” noting that former BJP leader Ram Naik played a key role in the city’s official name change in 1995.
“We always say Mumbai, not Bombay. I will write to the Prime Minister and the education minister to change the name of IIT Bombay to IIT Mumbai,” he said.
Thackeray, sharpening his Marathi identity pitch ahead of the Mumbai civic polls, warned that attempts were being made to “separate Mumbai from Maharashtra.”
In a post on X, he alleged a “quiet bid” to bring Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region under control and link them to Gujarat.
“People of Mumbai and all Marathi folks in the MMR should open their eyes. The name ‘Mumbai’ bothers them because it comes from Mumbadevi, the city’s original goddess,” he wrote.
The MNS chief compared the situation to the Centre’s attempt to “wrest” Chandigarh from Punjab, warning that similar efforts could be underway in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, MNS workers put up a banner outside IIT-Bombay, “renaming” it as IIT-Mumbai. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also said the state government would formally propose the name change and urged that the Bombay High Court be renamed as the Mumbai High Court.
Mumbai, officially renamed from Bombay in 1995 to honour goddess Mumbadevi and shed colonial associations, continues to see political debates over its nomenclature
Ten lakh jobs at Vadhavan Port, locals to benefit first: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that local residents will be given priority in employment at the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar district.
He warned that any attempt to deny them their “rightful employment” would not be tolerated, reported the PTI.
Speaking at election rallies in Dahanu and Palghar ahead of the December 2 local body polls, CM Fadnavis said the mega port project will generate 10 lakh jobs.
“Vadhavan Port will be one of the top ports in the world and the first of its kind in India,” he said.
CM Fadnavis added that authorities have been instructed to ensure these jobs go primarily to local youth.
“Fifty-six companies have already signed agreements and started training programmes,” he said, emphasising that he would personally intervene if locals were overlooked, as per the PTI.
The Rs 76,200-crore greenfield project, being developed in two phases by Vadhvan Port Project Ltd (VPPL), will include nine container terminals, four multipurpose berths, liquid cargo berths, a Ro-Ro berth and a coast guard berth.
Addressing concerns raised by local fishermen, the Chief Minister said the project would not harm their livelihood. He assured them of a modern fishing harbour, upgraded boats and support for deep-sea and traditional fishing.
(With PTI inputs)
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