The Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) proposal to rename India's capital city Delhi as "Indraprastha" has triggered strong criticism from historians, scholars, and rights activists, who denounced it as an attempt to distort history and promote sectarian politics under the guise of cultural revival. 

The VHP submitted a formal proposal to Delhi's Culture Minister, urging the government to rename key landmarks such as Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Railway Station, and Shahjahanabad Development Board, while calling for the integration of "Pandava-era heritage" into education and tourism. 

Historians, however, argue that Delhi's historical identity reflects a blend of Hindu, Mughal, and colonial influences. They warned that renaming the city would erase centuries of shared heritage. "Delhi's evolution is multi-layered - renaming it selectively narrows its historical and cultural narrative," said Dr. Ananya Sharma, a historian at Delhi University.

Urban planners and education experts also voiced concern that such moves could disrupt historical continuity and promote a biased view of India's past. Observers say the VHP's proposal is part of a broader Hindutva campaign aimed at rewriting India's multicultural history, erasing Muslim and secular legacies, and reshaping the country's identity along exclusivist ideological lines.  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)