News Analysis India

Tag: Aligarh

  • PM Modi lauds CM Yogi for UP’s development, attributes it to ‘double engine sarkar’

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded CM Yogi Adityanath for the development of the state and attributed it to the ‘double engine sarkar’ at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh.

    “The Centre and UP governments are working together to develop the state. We have to fight together all the forces that are against development here,” PM Modi said.

    The PM was addressing a huge gathering on Tuesday while laying the foundation stone of a state university named after Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, the royal of Hathras, a freedom fighter, an educationist and a social reformer who had donated 90 acre of land for Aligarh Muslim University.

    The Prime Minister also laid the stone for the development of Aligarh node of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor.

    With UP assembly elections just a few months away, Prime Minister Modi threw his weight behind Adityanath saying the state led the way in development campaigns and COVID management by topping the list of states by vaccinating around 8 crore people so far.

    Talking about the defence corridor, the PM claimed that India was moving ahead to carve its identity as a global defence exporter soon, unlike earlier when the country was just an importer of defence products.

    Drawing an analogy with the famous locks of Aligarh and the defence corridor, the PM said that the city was now contributing towards the protection of the country’s borders as well. PM Modi then announced Rs 9000 crore for the development of the BrahMos missile at the defence corridor’s Lucknow node.

    Taking a swipe at the opposition, especially the Samajwadi Party, the Prime Minister said that people could not forget the scams and scandals that used to be the order of the day in UP before the BJP came to power in 2017. He expressed dismay that how the then SP government used to block the welfare schemes of the Centre despite repeated correspondence.

    “The centre used to write letters after letters but the then state government would not pay heed to it and continued to hamper the implementation of central welfare schemes depriving the poor of benefits in the state,” said the PM.

    ALSO READ | Uttar Pradesh was run by gangsters before 2017, but now such elements are behind bars: PM Modi

    He also pointed to “lawlessness” that used to prevail in the state before 2017. “Goons and mafia were running free in Uttar Pradesh, especially in western UP, where the daughters were so insecure and unsafe that they were not able to pursue their education regularly.  Parents were scared to send girls to schools.But withYogiji in power, criminals and mafias think twice before committing a crime,” PM Modi said.

    The PM brought the issue of law and order into his discourse while talking about the investment that has come to the Aligarh node of the UP defence corridor. He said UP had become a potential destination for investment as the law and order atmosphere was congenial in the state under the BJP government.

    “We have to save Uttar Pradesh from anti-development forces and take the state further on path of development,” exhorted the PM.

    In fact, the Aligarh node of the UP defence corridor has attracted an investment of Rs 1245 crore. Around 74.75 hectares of land has been acquired and sold out to 19 defence product manufacturing firms to put their units there.

    However, reacting to PM Modi’s jibe over lawlessness in UP before 2017, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the PM should be well abreast of data and statistics before levelling any charge. “He (The PM) should dial 100 to know the truth of Samajwadi party rule,” said the SP chief.

    Akhilesh called the university in the name of Raja Mahendra Pratap as a mere sham and hypocrisy of the BJP as the Raja had defeated BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Mathura in the 1957 Lok Sabha elections.

    However, earlier, launching a veiled attack on Congress, PM Modi said that there had been no effort by earlier governments to make people aware of the contributions made by the likes of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, Raja Suheldev in winning the freedom for the country. “The India of 21st century will rectify all the mistakes committed in the previous century and the establishment of a state university in the name of Raja Mahendra Pratap is a step in that direction,” said the PM.

     “As we celebrate Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav, honest efforts are being made to make the young generation aware of contributions of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh and others in our independence struggle,” Prime Minister Modi remarked, also highlighting that the late king allotted land for the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). “As a prime minister, I consider it my good fortune that I am laying the foundation stone of a university named after such a visionary,” PM Modi said.

  • New university in Aligarh to be named after Jat king Mahendra Pratap Singh

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to sound BJP’s poll bugle from Aligarh while visiting the to lay the foundation stone of a state university named after Jat Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh on Tuesday.

    PM Modi’s visit is being seen as a move by the ruling BJP to placate the sulking Jat community of western UP owing to the promulgation of three contentious farm laws.

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced the setting up of the university in the name of the Raja, who had donated land for the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The new university will come up on 92.27 acres of land in Lodha village in Aligarh.

    The CM had made the announcement two years back in 2019 while he was campaigning for by-elections for assembly segments of Tundla and Iglas in western UP.

    Raja Mahendra Pratap’s great-grandson Charat Pratap Singh expressed satisfaction over the move. In fact, Charat Pratap had earlier served a notice on AMU over the expiry of the lease of land donated by the Hathras royal for the prestigious university.

    ALSO READ | Political parties throw enough hints Uttar Pradesh polls will pivot around Ayodhya

    On the other, the AMU administration has also welcomed the state government decision of setting up a state university named after Raja Mahendra Pratap saying it was a moment of pride for AMU as the Raja was its alumnus.

    Raja Mahendra Singh became a student of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1895, which was later renamed the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1920. 

    He had fought election against BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the Mathura constituency and had defeated him in 1957. While Singh was an independent candidate, Vajpayee was the candidate for the Bharatiya Jan Sangh.

    However, preparations for the mega event were underway. A grand stage is being erected and seating arrangements for approximately one lakh people are being made.

    It is believed that the BJP will sound the poll bugle in the state through this mega event. Modi will not only take part in the foundation stone laying ceremony but will also address a huge public meeting. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is camping in Aligarh to take stock of the preparations.

    A huge pandal has been set up in an area of three lakh square meters with seating arrangements for approximately one lakh people. Also, in order to save people from the vagaries of weather, arrangements for AC and fans have also been made. The SPG has taken the entire pandal under its security cover. The BJP is not leaving any stone unturned to make the PM’s visit a success.

    In the wake of the impact of Muzaffarnagar Kisan Mahapanchayat, PM Modi’s visit to Aligarh assumes more importance. He is likely to reach out to the farmers and Jat voters with his public meeting.

  • US-based entrepreneur Frank Islam opposes proposal to rename Aligarh

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: US-based entrepreneur and Aligarh Muslim University alumni Frank Islam has opposed a proposal to rename the city as ‘Harigarh’, saying it could have “disastrous” consequences on local communities.

    His remarks come in the backdrop of the newly elected district panchayat on Monday unanimously passing a proposal to change Aligarh’s name to Harigarh.

    “The impact of rechristening Aligarh and other towns and districts on their local communities, especially those belonging to the Muslim faith, is likely to have disastrous consequences,” Islam said.

    It is inconceivable to call Aligarh by any other name, he said.

  • 2022 UP polls: Yogi govt may go on district renaming spree to woo voters

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: What’s in a name? For the ruling dispensation, it’s a lot, especially when the Assembly polls are a few months away. The trail of renaming the districts, taken off soon after the BJP stormed to power in 2017, has gained pace yet again.

    Last month, the newly-constituted district panchayats of Aligarh and Mainpuri passed the resolution of changing the names of the districts to Harigarh and Mayanpur respectively. The proposals were in due course forwarded to the state government for further action. The demand to rename Aligarh’s has been cropping up for quite some time. In 2015, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had made demanded the district administration rename Aligarh as Harinagar claiming that it was its original ancient name.

    In the case of Mainpuri, the local sources say that Mainpuri was originally named Mayan Puri because it used to be the land of sage Mayan. In due course, it became Mainpuri due to erroneous pronunciation and local dialect.

    Besides, drives by local leaders are on to rename several districts and cities, including Sultanpur, Mirzapur, Firozabad, and others.

    As per the sources, the demand to rename Sultanpur as Kush Bhavanpur is gaining ground with local BJP MLA Devmani Dwivedi spearheading a campaign for it.

    “Sultanpur’s name was forced on us by foreign invaders. We are making efforts to restore its original name. We have submitted a letter of demand signed by all BJP MLAs to CM. He has assured as to look into the matter. This city was founded by Lord Rama’s son Kush so it should be named after him,” said Dwivedi.

    Similarly, the demand to rename Firozabad, the city of glass and bangles, as Chandra Nagar is doing round. If the sources are to be believed, Agra may become Agravan, Muzaffarnagar of Lakshmi Nagar, Miyanganj, a village in Unnao district is likely to be renamed as Mayaganj.

    As per sources, before the state goes for assembly polls, about a dozen districts and towns will get new names. There is demand for renaming Sambhal as Prithviraj Nagar or Kalki Nagar, Deoband assembly seat of Saharanpur as Devvrand.

    Deoband is known for Asia’s biggest seat of Islamic education –Darul Uloom.

    ALSO READ | CM Yogi supports demand to ban liquor, meat in Braj region of UP

    Even the people of Shahjahanpur want the district to be renamed Shajipur, another name for Bhamashah, a close associate of Maharana Pratap. BJP MLA from Mohammadabad constituency in Ghazipur, Alka Rai, has forwarded the demand to change the name of Ghazipur to Garhipuri after Raja Garhi, father of Maharishi Vishwamitra. Ghazipur was his capital. Even the demand for changing the name of the Muhammadabad assembly constituency to Dhara Nagar is also coming up.

    Reacting to the proposals seeking a change of name of the districts, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and chairman of Islamic Centre of India, feels that it is not a healthy sign for a nation.

    “All the districts, the renaming of which is being sought, have been named after historical figures. These districts are representative of the nation in the world. Changing their name is not healthy but in a democracy, everyone has the right to put forth his views. The final decision rests with the government,” says the Maulana.

    However, political analysts believe that renaming the district mostly named after Muslim personalities could be to bolster the agenda of Hindutva just ahead of the 2022 assembly polls. “When the BJP assumed power in the state, CM Yogi Adityanath’s plans were clear. He renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj, Faizabad as Ayodhya and Mughasari as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar in no time,” says Prof AK Mishra, a political scientist.

    Moreover, the state government has recently recommended the naming of Jhansi railway station after Rani Laxmi Bai.

    The politics of renaming is not new to Uttar Pradesh. Every government renames the districts and cities suiting its own political agenda. During Mayawati’s 2007 -2012 regime, the names of several districts were changed to iconic figures in Dalit politics. Amethi was hived off and parts were renamed as Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar. Hathras was renamed Maha Mayanagar. 

    Many universities and stadiums were renamed after Dalit icons. However, Mayawati’s successor Akhilesh Yadav in 2012-2017, rescinded those orders.

    The process of changing names of districts, though having almost no impact on the lives of people, incurs a huge burden on the exchequer. According to a government estimate, more than Rs 300 crore were spent in the process of changing the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj, said a source.

  • Aligarh district panchayat unanimously passes proposal to rename city ‘Harigarh’

    By PTI

    ALIGARH (UP): The city of famous Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh may soon have a new name Harigarh if a proposal of the district panchayat is accepted by the Uttar Pradesh government.

    A proposal for changing Aligarh’s name was unanimously passed at a meeting of the newly elected district Panchayat on Monday.

    District panchayat chairman Vijay Singh told reporters on Tuesday that the district panchayat’s resolution to rename Aligarh as Harigarh was forwarded to the state government for further action.

    Earlier on Sunday, the president of the district unit of Uttar Pradesh Kshatriya Mahasabha, Shailendra Pal Singh, had handed over a resolution to the district panchayat, demanding the change of name of Aligarh.

    The final decision for renaming a place is taken by the state government.

  • Demand to rename Aligarh as Harigarh, Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar, Firozabad as Chandra Nagar

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The renaming spree has no end in UP. Now the newly-elected Zila panchayats are proposing to change the nameS of their respective districts — Aligarh, Mainpuri, and Firozabad.

    Passing a resolution to this effect, Aligarh Zila Panchayat sought to rename Aligarh as Harigarh at a panchayat meeting on Monday. The Zila Panchayat members claimed that it was a long pending demand of the people of Aligarh. The proposal was passed in the first meeting of the panchayat without any opposition with 50 out of 72 members in attendance.

    “It was a long pending demand to rename Aligarh as Harigarh. The Zila panchayat approved the proposal unopposed. It would now be forwarded to the state government for approval,” stated Vijay Singh, Zila panchayat chairman for Aligarh.

    A proposal was also passed to name the airport of Aligarh after BJP leader Kalyan Singh, informed the Zila panchayat chairman. Kalyan Singh, former UP CM and ex-Governor of Rajasthan hailed from the ‘city of locks.’ Aligarh division comprises Hathras, Etah, and Kasganj districts.

    ALSO READ | If renaming Aurangabad solves people’s problems, then Congress will support it, says Nana Patole

    Similarly, the Zila panchayat of Mainpuri passed the resolution seeking to rename Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar. According to Zila panchayat members, Mayan Nagar is proposed to be named after sage Mayan who founded the present-day Mainpuri.

    “One of the Zila panchayat members had moved the proposal for renaming Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar and the proposal was passed with 23 members supporting the motion and two opposing it,” said Archana Bhadoria, Zila panchayat chairperson of Mainpuri.

    It was the first meeting of Mainpuri Zila panchayat after its constitution. Located near Isan river, Mainpuri is believed to be a bastion of Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has represented it five times in Lok Sabha.

    Earlier this month, the Firozabad district panchayat had also passed a resolution demanding that Firozabad be renamed as Chandra Nagar. Locals believed that King Chandrasen lived in Firozabad and because of this it was earlier known as Chandravar Nagar till about 1560 AD.

    As per the locals, the city of bangles and glass was renamed Firozabad from Chandravar Nagar when Firoz Shah, an emissary of emperor Akbar, visited the area and the place was renamed after him.

    The Firozabad Zila Panchayat members claimed that to rename Firozabad back as Chandra Nagar was being raised time and again.

  • Booked during anti-CAA protests on campus, AMU student banned from Aligarh for six months

    By PTI
    ALIGARH: The Aligarh administration has banned AMU student leader Arif Khan Tyagi from the district for six months terming him a threat to peace in the city, a year after he was booked under different charges during the anti-CAA protests on the campus.

    Aligarh Muslim University spokesman Professor Shafay Kidwai told PTI the externment order pertained to the protests on the campus against the Citizenship Amendment Act which began on December 15, 2019.

    The externment order was issued to the final-year post graduate student by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) City Rakesh Kumar Maalpani last week under the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goondas Act.

    Arif received it two days back.

    The order stated that Arif was a threat to the peace of the city and his presence posed a danger to its peace-loving residents.

    Arif has had more than half a dozen cases registered against him during the two months of anti-CAA protest on the campus in December 2019 and January 2020.

    After he was served the order, Arif told mediapersons that all the cases against him pertained to protests on the campus.

    He said all citizens whether farmers, trade union members or students have a right to peaceful protest.

    “The externment order was yet another attempt to muzzle freedom of expression,” he said, adding he would move court against the order.

    AMU spokesperson Kidwai said the student had been named by the police for the violent incidents which took place on the night of December 15, 2019.

    He said that the university had not separately filed any complaint against the student.

    Violent protests had broken out against the CAA on the campus on December 15 in which over 70 people, including students, AMU security staff and police personnel were injured.

    The university had to announce an extended winter break following the clashes.

  • Northern Railway gifted many festival special trains to passengers,

    Due to the Corona period, the Indian Railways, derailed, are now slowly gaining momentum. Its effect is also seen on passenger trains. Explain that now the railway is starting its service slowly. Due to the festive season between the Corona period, the railway is taking special care of the convenience of the passengers and hence, looking at Dussehra and Diwali, Northern Railway has decided to run several special trains for different destinations. The passengers of Uttar Pradesh will also get more benefit of this. Explain that the Railways will run about 7 pairs of special trains which will pass through Gorakhpur, Mathura, Aligarh, Kanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Lucknow in UP. In these trains, train number 4998/04997 Bathinda-Varanasi-Bathinda weekly super fast special train 04998 Bathinda-Varanasi weekly super fast special train 25.10. On the same train, 04997 Varanasi-Bathinda weekly super fast special train will return from Varanasi at 09.20 pm every Monday from 26.10.2020 to 30.11.2020 and reach Bathinda at 04.50 pm the next day. 04998/04997 Bathinda-Varanasi-Bathinda weekly super fast special train route with air-conditioned 3 tier, second class sleeper and general class coaches, Rampura Phul, Barnala, Bamla, Dhuri, Patiala, Rajpura, Ambala Cantonment, Yamunanagar, Saharanpur, Saharanpur , Bareilly, Lucknow and Sultanpur stations will stop in both directions.