After Aurangzeb, it’s Akbar’s turn to go

Minister of state for external affairs Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd) has written to the Union urban development ministry seeking the renaming of Akbar Road in Delhi’s Lutyens’ Zone after the “truly secular” and great Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap.

Incidentally, the All-India Congress Committee headquarters is located on Akbar Road.

Last year, the government had renamed Aurangzeb Road after the late former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam despite opposition.

A suggestion to rename Akbar Road was also made by Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and backed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy last week.

In his letter to M. Venkaiah Naidu on May 16, Gen. Singh wrote: “We have recognised the contributions of each community in building a stronger and vibrant India,” but one “historical personality that has truly motivated generations, Maharana Pratap, has not been given his due”.