Rename Koriawas medical college or face poll losses, BJP MLA warns party

Extending support to the ongoing protest in Koriawas village here, BJP MLA from Narnaul and former minister Om Prakash Yadav has warned that the BJP and its leaders — including himself — may face losses in the next elections if the demand to rename Maharishi Chyawan Government Medical College after freedom fighter Rao Tula Ram is not fulfilled.

“The demand is completely justified. Freedom fighter Rao Tula Ram led a valiant struggle during the 1857 freedom movement, where over 5,000 people sacrificed their lives — the highest number across the country. The battlefield is just 4 km from the medical college, and the panchayats of over 150 villages have extended their support to this demand,” said Yadav while speaking to The Tribune on Tuesday.

Notably, the BJP secured three out of four Assembly seats in Mahendragarh district during the 2024 elections. Arti Singh Rao, the MLA from Ateli, currently serves as the Health Minister in the state government.

When asked why the issue wasn't raised earlier, Yadav, a close aide of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, said that he and other MLAs had proposed the name of Rao Tula Ram for the college when the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the district during the Jan Samvaad programme.

“Khattar sahib told us that the decision would be taken at the time of the college’s inauguration. However, we later learned that the college had already been named after Maharishi Chyawan. This infuriated the local people, leading to damage of the signage of the college in May as a mark of protest,” he said.

Following the incident, Yadav said he, along with other MLAs, met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and urged him to reconsider the naming decision. “Saini responded that the naming had taken place before he assumed office,” Yadav stated.

The MLA added that over 150 gram panchayats across Mahendragarh district have submitted resolutions supporting the renaming demand, with more expected to join soon. “This is not just a village issue—it’s a collective voice of the entire region. The state government must act promptly,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, protest leader Nonihal Singh said their indefinite dharna entered its 86th day on Tuesday. “We plan to submit a memorandum to the state government through the district administration on August 4. Around 200 panchayat resolutions will be attached to show the depth of public sentiment. The protest will continue until the college is renamed after freedom fighter Rao Tula Ram,” he said.