Change Delhi's name to Indraprastha, restore ancient identity: BJP MP

BJP MP from Chandani Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal, on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the government to rename Delhi as 'Indraprastha' to restore its ancient identity and cultural heritage.

In the letter, he said Delhi held a special place among the ancient cultural centres of India. Indraprastha represented the eternal spirit of Indian civilisation, symbolising ideals of righteous governance and social harmony, he opined.

"It is not merely a metropolis but a living symbol of Indian civilisation, embodying the spirit, ethics, and tradition of public welfare. History bears witness that during the Mahabharata era, the Pandavas established their capital here. I humbly urge the Government of India to seriously consider and decide on this matter so that our Capital may regain its ancient identity and glory,” the MP said in a letter in Hindi.

He also suggested renaming the Delhi airport and Delhi Junction railway station. The Delhi Junction railway station should be renamed Indraprastha Railway Station. Indira Gandhi International Airport should be renamed Indraprastha Airport. A prominent statue of the Pandavas should be erected at key locations in Delhi,” he noted.

Khandelwal said that as other historic cities like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Ujjain and Varanasi were reclaiming their ancient identities, Delhi, too, deserved to be honoured in its original form.

He said renaming the national capital would mark a significant step towards reviving India’s cultural heritage, restoring the city’s heritage and reaffirming respect for its civilisational legacy. This would not only revive the capital’s ancient identity but also give new strength to our cultural consciousness, he added.

By adopting the name Indraprastha, Delhi would once again emerge as a spiritual, cultural and civilisational symbol of Bharat, he said.

It would strengthen national pride, boost cultural tourism, and inspire the youth to connect with the country’s glorious heritage, he noted.