Akola Municipal Corporation’s naming of Standing Committee Hall after Tipu Sultan is illegal

• Hindutva activist Mr Uday Maha serves legal notice to the administration

• Demand to rename it ‘Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Hall’

Akola, Maharashtra – The naming of the Akola Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee Hall as ‘Shaheed-e-Watan Hazrat Tipu Sultan Hall’ is completely illegal and in violation of government regulations, according to a legal notice served on the municipal administration. The notice was sent by Hindutva activist Mr Uday Maha (64) of Akola through his advocate, Mukund Jalnekar, to the Municipal Commissioner, the Mayor and the Chairperson.

The notice states that if the illegal name is not removed, legal action will be initiated in court against those responsible for violating the relevant rules.

The notice further states:

1. The Government has published an official list of distinguished personalities. Under government policy, only names included in this list may be assigned to government buildings or halls.

2. The name ‘Tipu Sultan’ does not appear anywhere in the list. Therefore, assigning this name to the hall constitutes a direct violation of government and administrative directives and is completely illegal.

3. The name ‘Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’ is included in the official list. The Municipal Corporation should remove the illegal name ‘Tipu Sultan’ within the prescribed time limit and rename the hall ‘Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Hall’ in accordance with government policy.

Editorial Perspective

• Such vigilant and proactive devout Hindus are needed everywhere.
• If roads or other public places in the State have been named after Mughal invaders or other foreign aggressors, those names should also be changed immediately.