BJP MP from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal, on Saturday wrote to Union Minister Amit Shah, urging the renaming of Delhi as ‘Indraprastha’, citing its ancient, cultural, and civilisational roots. Khandelwal has also requested the renaming of Old Delhi railway station as ‘Indraprastha Junction’, and the International Airport as ‘Indraprastha Airport’.
Khandelwal, in his letter to Shah, which was also sent to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other ministers, said the move would reflect the historical, cultural, and civilisational roots. His letter came on a day when the national capital attained the Union Territory status 69 years ago — on November 1, 1956, following the reorganisation of Indian states,
In the letter, he said Delhi holds a special place among the ancient cultural centres of India. Indraprastha represents the eternal spirit of Indian civilisation, symbolising ideals of righteous governance and social harmony, he opined. He said that the lineage of the city dates back to the Mahabharat era, when the Pandavas founded it, and it was known as Indraprastha.
Khandelwal stressed that renaming would help restore the cultural identity of the national Capital. “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.”
“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 Chandni Chowk MP said in a letter in Hindi.
He also suggested renaming the Delhi airport and the Old Delhi railway station.
Renaming Delhi to ‘Indraprastha’ will send a message to future generations that India’s capital is not only a center of power, but also a symbol of religion, ethics, and nationalism, he wrote in the letter.
“The Old Delhi 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 established at key locations in Delhi,” he noted. Khandelwal said that as other historic cities like Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Ujjain, and Varanasi are reclaiming their ancient identities, Delhi, too, deserves to be honoured in its original form. “In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of cultural renaissance: If the country is reviving its ancient cities like Ayodhya, Kashi, and Prayagraj, why not Delhi?” the BJP MP questioned
He said renaming the national capital will 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 will once again emerge as a spiritual, cultural, and civilisational symbol of Bharat, he said.
It will strengthen national pride, boost cultural tourism, and inspire the youth to connect with the country’s glorious heritage, he noted. A similar demand was made by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) last month, saying that it would invoke its roots in ancient Indian history and the Mahabharata era. In a letter to Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra, the Delhi unit of the VHP urged that the national capital’s name, along with Indira Gandhi International Airport and New Delhi Railway Station, be changed to reflect the city’s “true cultural identity.”
