Muzaffarnagar: Posters advocating renaming Muzaffarnagar to ‘Laxmi Nagar’ , put up by members of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, appeared across the city on Saturday. Banners replacing “Muzaffarnagar” with “Laxmi Nagar” were seen at key locations, including the railway station and main roads.
The demand for the name change has drawn reactions from various political leaders. Rajpal Balian, RLD MLA from Budhana, said, “We have no objection to either Muzaffarnagar or Laxmi Nagar. The matter falls under the state govt’s jurisdiction. As part of the NDA, we will accept whatever decision the central or Uttar Pradesh govt takes. ” Acharya Dhirendra Singh Shastri, who was in Muzaffarnagar on Saturday, also supported the decision.
Earlier this month, BJP MLC Mohit Beniwal had raised the demand in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council, arguing that “renaming the district was linked to public sentiment” and would give it a new identity. His statement reignited discussions on the issue, eliciting mixed responses from different political and social groups.
Prahlad Ahuja, regional organisation minister of Hindu Yuva Vahini, said, “We have been fighting for this cause for the last 7–8 years. The demand to rename Muzaffarnagar as Laxmi Nagar reflects our sentiments. These posters are just the beginning—you will see them across the city in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, criticising the govt, SP MP Harender Malik said, “Before renaming the district, the govt should focus on providing jobs to the unemployed, ensuring benefits for farmers, and improving law and order.”
