While the protests against the gang rape (and subsequent death) of the 23-year-old student in Delhi continue and the nation is yet to recover from the trauma, ideas are being floated, mainly by politicians, about renaming roads, flyovers and other public spaces after the woman. Shashi Tharoor, Union minister of state for human resources development, went on to suggest that the victim’s name should be made public so that the forthcoming modified anti-rape law can be named after her.

One such idea was floated by Congress MLA from Vile Parle Krishna Hegde, who suggested that the work-in-progress Milan Subway flyover should be named after the woman. This idea is not only a prime example of sham symbolism, but also suggests that politicians would go to any lengths to put themselves into the spotlight. It is political opportunism at its very best.