In Chandan Nagar, Councillor Fatima Khan’s move to rename local streets after Muslim heritage triggers strong opposition from BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya
NEW DELHI — A row has erupted in Indore’s Chandan Nagar after local councillor Fatima Khan tried to honour Muslim heritage by installing new street name boards in Urdu, a move which BJP leaders quickly condemned as “unconstitutional” and had reversed within hours.
Khan, a regional councillor, had put up boards renaming streets to reflect Muslim identity and history. Streets previously known as Mishra Wala Road, Loha Gate, and Aam Wala Road were changed to Khwaja Road, Raza Gate, and Hussaini Road respectively. The new signboards also carried the words “Nagar Palika Nigam Indore,” creating the impression that the renaming had official sanction.
The initiative was welcomed by many Muslims in the area. Local resident Mohammad Arif said, “For years our community’s role in Indore’s history has been ignored. Recognising our heritage through street names is a small but important step. Why should it be seen as a crime?”
However, the move drew immediate political reaction. BJP leader Akash Vijayvargiya, son of senior cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, raised objections, calling the development a threat to “civic order.” In a letter to Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, he demanded strict action. “This attempt to give streets religious names without permission is serious. It misleads the public and damages the city’s unity,” Akash wrote.
Within hours, Mayor Bhargava ordered the removal of all boards and warned of disciplinary measures. “This one-sided action is against rules and the democratic process. No one can change names without corporation’s approval. If any employee is found involved, we will take strict action,” he said.
The boards were taken down the same day, sparking anger among Muslim residents who felt their identity was once again being dismissed. “We see statues, temples, and streets named after Hindu leaders everywhere in the city. Why is it wrong when Muslims try to remember their own saints and scholars?” asked Shabana Begum, a resident of Chandan Nagar.
Social media users also weighed in, with some praising Khan’s move as “bold recognition” of Muslim identity, while others accused the BJP of “selective politics.”
Observers point out that such clashes over names are not new in Madhya Pradesh, where renaming roads, towns, and landmarks has become a political tool. But Muslims in Indore believe their community’s heritage is being singled out.
Community elder Abdul Rahman summed it up: “We are not erasing anyone else’s history. We only want our children to see names that remind them of their own culture. Why does that disturb the ruling party?”
The mayor has ordered an investigation, but for now, the Muslim community in Chandan Nagar feels aggrieved.
