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Opinion divided over Mandi’s name change

People of Mandi district are divided over Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s proposal of changing the name of Mandi town to Mandav Nagar.

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Dipender Manta

People of Mandi district are divided over Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s proposal of changing the name of Mandi town to Mandav Nagar. During his recent visit to the district on February 23, the CM expressed his desire to change the town’s name to Mandav Nagar, which is stated to be its old name.

The CM’s reason, however, looked awkward, as according to him, the name Mandi symbolized business, while the old name Mandav Nagar had its own religious significance.

“Sage Mandav Rishi lived here and did penance for years. Due to that, it was named as Mandav Nagar. But later, it became a hub of commercial activities and its name was changed to Mandi. So, I wish to change its name to Mandav Nagar, if people of the district wish so,” he had said.

The CM had asked people of the district to give their suggestions, adding that the state government would take action accordingly.

Since then, people are taking to social media to express their views. While some of them are in favour, some not.

The Congress termed it a move to obliterate historical facts about Mandi by Jai Ram Thakur to establish his supremacy, while BJP favoured it.


‘Wish to change Mandi’s name to Mandav Nagar’

Sage Mandav Rishi lived here and did penance for years. Due to that, it was named as Mandav Nagar. But later, it became a hub of commercial activities and its name was changed to Mandi. So, I wish to change its name to Mandav Nagar, if people of the district wish so. — Jai ram  Thakur, Chief Minister 

‘People emotionally attached with Mandi’

I am not in favour of the decision because people of Mandi district and town are emotionally attached with its name. To establish his supremacy, the CM is trying to obliterate historical facts about the name of Mandi. Cities like Allahabad, which was named Prayagraj, and a few others, have a history of aggression by the Muslim invaders and the British rulers, who gave the name of the town and city to establish their supremacy for generations, but here in Mandi, there is no such reason. — Chander Singh Mandyal, A senior citizen of the town

‘Not in favour of suggestion, up to the Mandi MLA and CM to decide’

I am not in favour of the suggestion made to change the name of the town. However, it is between Mandi Sadar MLA Power Minister Anil Sharma and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. If people of Mandi town wish to change it, then it should be changed. — Pandit Sukh Ram, Veteran leader of Mandi district & former Telecom Minister

‘Name should be changed to bring back lost glory’

The Mandi town has its religious importance, which was known as ‘Chhoti Kashi’. The town's name should be changed to Mandav Nagar to bring back its glory. — Ramswaroop Sharma, Mandi MP 

‘No objection, if people want it to be changed’ 

Mandi is famous not only in Himachal, but across the country for the past many years. I personally am not in favour of changing its name. But if people of Mandi town wish to change it, then I have no objection over it. — Anil Sharma, Power Minister, Mandi Sadar MLA

‘Nothing wrong in restoring Mandi’s historical name to Mandav Nagar’

It is true that earlier the name of Mandi town was Mandav Nagar as Sage Mandav did penance here. His daughter was Mata Kuan Rani and her temple was built in the middle of Mandi town. But later, Mandav Nagar became a hub of commercial activities especially for the sale of salt and people visited here from different parts of the hill areas even Leh Ladakh, Tibet and Punjab. There is nothing wrong in restoring the historical name of Mandi town to Mandav Nagar and it will be a brave act of the Chief Minister. — Krishan Kumar Nutan, A historian from Mandi district

‘Changing names will not ensure development’

I am not in favour of changing the name of Mandi town. There is no need to change it. The Chief Minister is trying to carry forward the agenda of the BJP government at the Centre that changed the name of a few towns and cities. There is a need to provide basic amenities to the people of town, which they are lacking. Changing names will not ensure development. — Kaul Singh Thakur, Former Health Minister, Senior Cong leader from Mandi

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