VK Singh seeks renaming of Akbar Road after Maharana Pratap

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh has pitched for renaming Akbar Road in Lutyens Zone after the doughty Mewar ruler Maharana Pratap.

Extolling the 16th century Rajput king as "truly secular" and a "man of masses" who "motivated generations" but was not given due recognition, Singh has written to the Urban Development Ministry to rechristen the road after him.

The Minister's initiative comes amid reports that Haryana government too sought had sought renaming of Akbar road after the Mewar ruler.

In a letter to Urban Development Minster M Venkaiah Naidu yesterday, Singh said, "I do find that one historical personality that has motivated generations, Maharana Pratap, has not been given his due.

"You would be aware that he was not only instrumental in stopping the might of Mughal king Akbar but he was truly secular and a man of masses," Singh said.

The Minister said, "I would request you to honour this great son of India by naming the Akbar Road as Maharana Pratap Road or a suitable important road in the Lutyen Zone in his name."

Singh said the naming of road after Mahrana Pratap would give recognition to his valour and spirit of secularism which makes India great.

"I do feel that important personalities like Mahrana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji deserve greater recognition than they have been given thus far," he added.

Last year, the government had renamed Aurangzeb Road in the Lutyens Bunglow Zone after former President late A P J Abdul Kalam, despite opposition from various quarters.