Allahabad becomes ‘Prayagraj’; names of Allahabad University, HC likely to change next

Amid Opposition protests, Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday changed the name of Allahabad district as “Prayagraj”. The decision was taken after the state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cleared the proposal by Akhada Parishad to rename the city.

“The proposal came today regarding the change of name of Kumbh to Prayagraj seeking approval. All the Cabinet members were happy and from today onwards, Allahabad’s name would change as Prayagraj,” Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said.

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Singh, who hails from Allahabad, said that he was happy with the new name as he had also written to the state Governor regarding this.

According to the reports, the Uttar Pradesh government would soon change the names of Allahabad University, Allahabad High Court, Railway Station and many other institutions.

“There are some central institutes, organisations. Letters would be written to them for the same and to take the process forward,” The Indian Express quoted the minister as saying.

The Opposition Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) has opposed the proposal saying that it would affect things associated with the history of the city, including the independence movement.

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Reacting to the Opposition’s protest, Singh said, “The name which was there for 500 years should be there. Those who are objecting should think about it. The name which was earlier there has been given again.”