Mount Abu becomes Abu Raj as Rajasthan renames three cities in decolonisation drive

On Friday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced in the Assembly that three historic cities will be renamed. Mount Abu will now be called Abu Raj, while Kaman and Jahazpur have been renamed Kamvan and Yagyapur, respectively. The Chief Minister said the move was part of the BJP government's decolonisation drive and a tribute to the state's heritage and local sentiments.

In December last year, the state government had annulled nine of the 17 new districts and three divisions created by the previous Congress regime, saying they were unnecessary.

The latest round of renaming drew sharp criticism from the Congress, which termed it a diversion from governance failures.


"This is a classic diversionary tactic," senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot told ET. "In the last two-and-a-half years, this government has failed to fulfil its poll promises. It couldn't even conduct local body elections despite a court order, leaving grassroots democracy in a vacuum. Instead of addressing the financial crisis or generating jobs, it is busy changing signboards."

The delay in local body polls remains a contentious issue, with the State Election Commission citing administrative hurdles despite a High Court directive tso hold elections in a timely manner.