Name Changing of Bhimrao Ambedkar: BJP MP opposes the decision of Yogi Government, calls it ‘unnecessarily controversy’

Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to change the name of Bhimrao Ambdedkar did not go well with many people including MP from the Bharatiya Janata Party. One of the BJP MPs and Dalit thinkers Udit Raj also opposed it.

He called it a move that can create unnecessary controversy. He also said that the Dalit community is upset with this name change.

“I don't find any reason to change his name, it's an individual's freedom to decide how he wants to be known, Why create a controversy unnecessarily? The Dalit community has expressed its displeasure,” said Udit Raj.

Earlier, Samajwadi Party called the move political. SP leader Dipak Mishra said that the BJP government is trying to politicize the Dalit Icon Bhimrao Ambedkar. And the government wants to change its anti-Dalit perception through this move.

Yogi-led BJP government passed an order asking all departments and high court benches in Lucknow and Allahabad to change Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s name in all documents and records. The name will be changed from ‘Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar’ to ‘Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.

It was the UP Governor Ram Naik started the process of name change. In December 2017, he had written to the chief minister and Prime Minister and the director of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Mahasabha expressing concern over the incorrect spelling of Ambedkar.

“The main point is the way the name should be pronounced. While its English spelling is correct, the spelling will have to change in Hindi, as will the pronunciation. Ramji was his father’s name. As per common practice in Maharashtra, father’s name is used as a middle name for sons,” Dr Lalji Prasad Nirmal, the director of the Mahasabha, was quoted by the Times of India as saying.