Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the Narendra Modi government on Thursday regarding the renaming of Durbar and Ashok Halls at Rashtrapati Bhavan, asserting that the notion of “shahenshah (king)” still persists in India.
“There is no concept of Durbar but there is a concept of Shahenshah,” she remarked.
President Droupadi Murmu recently announced the renaming of the Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall to Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Mandap, respectively. This change aims to move away from the colonial connotations associated with the original names.
The President’s Secretariat explained that the renaming is part of an effort to align the ambiance of Rashtrapati Bhavan with Indian cultural values and ethos. The term ‘Durbar’ historically refers to the courts of Indian rulers and the British Raj and lost its relevance after India became a republic. The term ‘Ganatantra’ reflects the republic’s ideals, making ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ a fitting name for the venue where significant ceremonies and national awards are presented.
The statement also highlighted that renaming Ashok Hall helps remove traces of anglicisation. Originally a ballroom, ‘Ashok’ evokes notions of being ‘free from all sufferings’ and is linked to Emperor Ashoka, a symbol of unity and peaceful coexistence. The name ‘Ashok Mandap’ maintains the core values associated with Ashoka while eliminating English influences.