Mayawati welcomes restoration of Sant Ravidas Nagar district name, criticises SP

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, Mayawati, welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to restore the name of Bhadohi district to Sant Ravidas Nagar. In a post on social media platform X on Friday, she expressed gratitude to the state government and urged it to similarly revive the original names of other districts created during the BSP's tenure.

Mayawati said the BSP government had established Sant Ravidas Nagar district, with Bhadohi as its headquarters. She alleged that the Samajwadi Party (SP) government later changed the name due to its "narrow casteist mindset". She added that the party was grateful to the current government for the restoration.

The BSP chief further stated that during four BSP governments in Uttar Pradesh, numerous new districts, tehsils, development blocks, police zones and ranges were created to streamline administration and improve public welfare. Many of these districts were named after saints, gurus and great men from Dalit and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, she said. These included districts such as Sant Ravidas Nagar, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar, and Bhim Nagar.

Mayawati alleged that the SP government changed these names only because of its "casteist thinking, hatred and narrow politics", which people would never forget. She requested the BJP government to consider restoring the original names of these districts as well.

The decision to rename Bhadohi district to Sant Ravidas Nagar is seen as significant, given the district's association with the revered saint and the BSP's historical demand. Bhadohi, known for its carpet industry, is also a region with a substantial Dalit population. The move comes ahead of upcoming elections in the state, though political observers note that such decisions often carry electoral implications.

Notably, the name Sant Ravidas Nagar holds cultural and religious importance for many Dalit communities. The district was created during the BSP regime, and the subsequent SP government changed it back to Bhadohi. With the BJP government now restoring the name, the decision may have implications for caste politics in the state.

Mayawati's remarks also reflect ongoing political rivalry between the BSP and SP in Uttar Pradesh. The two parties have been critical of each other over issues of social justice and representation. The BSP chief's call for reinstating other names adds to the political discourse over symbolic measures and their impact on community pride.

During its rule, the BSP had also created districts like Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar (now Amethi) and Bhim Nagar (now Sambhal). These were later renamed by the SP government. Mayawati's request to the BJP government to restore these names suggests a continued focus on reclaiming symbolic legacies that she believes were erased by political rivals.

As of now, the Uttar Pradesh government has not announced any further decisions on the other districts mentioned by Mayawati. The state administration is yet to respond to her request. Political analysts will be watching whether the BJP, which has often sought to reach out to Dalit voters, decides to act on this demand.