Rajesh Lilothia slams NDMC for renaming Gandhi Ashram Marg

New Delhi: Another controversy sparked off in the national capital, on Monday, when Delhi Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia alleged that the name of the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram Marg at ward No. 1 in the Narela Assembly constituency, which also has historical significance, is being changed in the name of the father of a BJP sympathiser.

However, NDMC standing committee chairperson Jai Prakash denied the charges.

“This area had a significant role in the freedom movement and Gandhi ji visited this place in 1935. In 1942, during the Quit India (1942) movement, this ashram was the epicentre of freedom fighters and one of the prominent freedom fighters, Master Prabhu Dayal, was sent to the Cellular Jail in Andaman for uprooting the rail track in Narela area,” said Saranjeet, a local resident.

“The MCD signage shows this road as Gandhi Ashram Marg. Even the voter ID and Aadhar cards of many residents have Gandhi Ashram Marg in their address,” said Naresh Gupta, who is a member of the Gandhi Ashram Bachao Andolan Samiti.

Mr Lilothia lambasted BJP for implementing the hidden RSS agenda. He has written to the lieutenant-governor of Delhi, Delhi chief minister, and the municipal commissioner about the matter and requested them to restore the name of the road in ward No. 1 as “Gandhi Ashram Marg.”

The DPCC working president sought stringent action against those officials who were responsible for the change in name and demanded that the matter be referred for review to the Naming Committee in the North MCD so that status quo can be ensured.

Mr Lilothia warned the BJP that if the name of the road at ward No. 1 in the Narela Assembly constituency is not reverted to Gandhi Ashram Marg, Congress workers will take to the streets to ensure compliance.

He said that the demonstration to be organised by the Gandhi Ashram Bachao Andolan Samiti on September 13 will be supported by the Delhi Congress.