Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana Chief Minister, has approved the proposal of changing the state’s show window, Gurgaon name to Gurugram and that of Mewat to Nuh.

As per the sources, CM’s decision is yet to be approved by the state cabinet, after which the issue moves to the Centre. The change can take its effect, only after the Centre approves it.

Meanwhile the opposition took over the issue, advising the government to focus on the development, rather than dabbling in “cosmetic changes”. Countering it, the government said that, the demand for the name change, has come from the public.

Explaining further, a government spokesperson said, Haryana is a historic land of the Bhagvad Gita and Gurgaon had been a centre of learning. During Guru Dronacharya times, it is known as Gurugram.

“Gurgaon was a centre of education where the princes used to get education. Since long, people of the area had been demanding that it be renamed as Gurugram,” a statement said.

On the other side, Mewat Deputy Commissioner Mani Ram Sharma said, over a month ago, he had sent a recommendation to rename Mewat as Nuh.

“We received representations from the public as also Punhana MLA Rahish Khan that Mewat be called Nuh for three reasons,” he said.

Renaming Gurgaon is an exercise in superficiality, says AICC communication in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala.

“The Khattar government should create essential infrastructure and build harmony, both of which are essential for ensuring that Gurgaon remains a vehicle to propel Haryana’s development dreams. Unfortunately, divisive politics of the Khattar government seeks to undo the important vestige of the Mewati valour and sacrifice that was depicted in the name of the district,” he said.

Indian National Lok Dal’s Ashok Arora said the government had nothing to showcase as far as development in Gurgaon went. “This is their way of distracting the public. By renaming Mewat as Nuh, the government wants to divide the people along caste lines,” he said.

By Phani Ch