The move to rename the historic Muslim-rooted town as ‘Ajagaibinaath Dham’ in Bhagalpur District is seen as part of a wider agenda to erase Urdu names and Muslim identity
NEW DELHI/BHAGALPUR – A simmering controversy has broken out in the historic town of Sultanganj, situated on the banks of the Ganga in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, after a proposal to change its name to ‘Ajagaibinaath Dham’ was passed by the local city council. The move, pushed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allied right-wing organisations, has drawn sharp criticism from various sections, particularly Muslims, who see this as part of a broader campaign to erase Urdu and Muslim-linked names across the country.
The plan, which has now reached the state government’s doorstep, has evoked strong reactions from all quarters. While BJP leaders and right-wing supporters insist that the change reflects religious sentiment linked to the Ajaibinaath Mahadev temple, Muslims and secular voices argue it’s a deliberate effort to target names with Islamic origins, distorting history and sowing religious divisions.
Sultanganj, whose name dates back centuries, has been a symbol of India’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — the harmonious blend of Hindu and Muslim cultures. Many locals and historians argue that altering the name amounts to attacking that shared heritage.
“Sultanganj is not just a label; it is history, it is memory, it is identity,” said Aslam Qadri, a resident and social worker. “This is the latest step in a well-thought-out campaign to whitewash anything associated with Muslims in this country.”
Another resident, Shahnawaz Hussain, a retired schoolteacher, said: “If the government can change names so easily, then what is the value of our shared past? What’s next — will they change the name of Delhi too?”
Locals fear that this name change is not an isolated event but part of a calculated campaign that has been unfolding over the past few years. Earlier, names like Allahabad were changed to Prayagraj, Mughalsarai to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar, and Faizabad to Ayodhya. Now the trend seems to be moving eastward into Bihar.
“Why are only Muslim names being targeted? This is clearly a political move, not a cultural one,” said Prof Rizwana Akhtar of Bhagalpur University. “By removing names like Sultanganj, the government is trying to rewrite history and portray Muslims as outsiders or invaders, which is completely wrong.”
Sultanganj, historically, has been a place of peaceful coexistence between Hindus and Muslims. The Ajaibinaath Mahadev temple and several dargahs exist side by side. During the month of Shravan, the area turns into a religious hub as lakhs of Kanwariyas arrive to collect holy water from the Ganga. Even Muslim shopkeepers serve them food and water.
“We have served Kanwariyas for years. No one ever had a problem with the name Sultanganj. Why now?” asked Moinuddin, a Muslim tea seller whose stall is close to the Ganga ghat. “This fight is being created by outsiders, not locals.”
The push for the name change comes mainly from the BJP and affiliated groups. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, along with several local leaders, has voiced strong support for the proposal.
“This land belongs to Lord Shiva. The name Sultanganj was given by foreign rulers. It should be corrected to its original name — Ajagaibinaath Dham,” Chaudhary said at a recent public rally.
Local BJP leaders have also started using the new name on shop banners, pamphlets, and official communication. “We are correcting history,” said Krishna Kumar, a ward councillor who introduced the proposal. “This is a holy place for Hindus. It must reflect our identity.”
The Mahant (chief priest) of the temple, Premananda Giri, claimed that the name change is not new and has been in demand for several years. “We have been demanding this for five years. This is a religious movement. The city council has already passed it, and 50 percent of the implementation work is done,” he told reporters.
Muslims in Sultanganj and across Bihar, however, see this as a step towards marginalisation. “This is not about temples or gods; this is about Muslims being pushed out of history,” said Abdul Samad, president of the Bihar Muslim Forum.
He added, “The BJP has ruled Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. There, they’ve already changed names like Mughal Sarai and Allahabad. Now they’re eyeing Bihar. We must stand united against this attack on our past.”
Historian Ziauddin Ansari from Patna says the rewriting of names is part of a wider Hindutva strategy. “This is being done to create a singular Hindu identity for India. Names like Sultanganj reflect centuries of coexistence. Removing them is a political act — not a cultural correction,” he said.
The name change has also been criticised by secular parties and activists. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said, “The BJP has failed to bring jobs, education, or healthcare. So, they are changing names to divert attention. This is dangerous for our country’s unity.”
Civil society members in Bhagalpur have launched a protest campaign against the decision. A candle march was held last Friday at the main Ganga ghat, where both Hindu and Muslim youths joined hands and demanded that the name Sultanganj be preserved.
“We are not against the temple, nor are we against any faith,” said Priya Jha, a college student and protest organiser. “But changing the name of a town just because it sounds Muslim is unacceptable. Where does this stop?”
Experts believe the renaming trend is driven more by politics than by faith. Dr Faizan Alam, a political analyst, says, “By targeting Muslim names, the BJP wants to energise its core voter base and polarise the public ahead of elections. It’s identity politics at its worst.”
He pointed out that the BJP’s strategy fits into a larger plan of rewriting the cultural narrative of the country. “This is about replacing secularism with religious majoritarianism,” he said.
Local Muslim leaders have appealed for calm and unity. “We must not fall into the trap of violence or hate. Our resistance should be democratic, peaceful, and firm,” said Maulana Saleem Ahmad of the Bhagalpur Markaz.
He added, “We call upon all secular-minded Hindus and Sikhs, and Christians to join us. This is not just a Muslim issue. This is an Indian issue. If one name is erased today, yours could be next.”
As the state government reviews the proposal, the debate over renaming Sultanganj continues to divide opinion. For now, banners with “Ajagaibinaath Dham” are going up, but so is the determination of those who want to preserve the centuries-old name of Sultanganj — not as a symbol of religious domination, but as a mark of shared history.
“They can change boards, but they can’t change our memories,” said elderly resident Mehboob Alam. “For us, this place will always be Sultanganj.”
