INDIA: The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has recently made a significant decision to rename the Ahmednagar district. According to official reports, the district will now be known as ‘Ahilya Nagar.’ The renaming comes as a tribute to Ahilyadevi Holkar, the esteemed 18th-century queen of the Maratha Empire.
On the occasion of her 298th birth anniversary, Chief Minister Shinde made the announcement during his address to the public at Choundi village, which holds special significance as the birthplace of Ahilyadevi. Prominent figures in attendance included Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, and BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar, among others.
In his speech, Chief Minister Shinde emphasized that the government’s actions are guided by the principles of governance set by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Ahilyadevi Holkar. He stated, “In accordance with your wishes, we have decided to rename the district after Ahilyadevi Holkar.”
Elaborating on the decision, Shinde highlighted the historical significance of Ahilyadevi’s rule, stating, “Ahilyadevi’s actions exemplified the principles of ideal statecraft. Her administrative prowess is still acknowledged today, and she has left behind a legacy of a robust and capable administrative framework. We strive to follow in her footsteps.”
This decision follows previous instances where the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government renamed Aurangabad as ‘Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’ and Osmanabad as ‘Dharashiv,’ with the approval and proposal of the Maharashtra government.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in support of the renaming, urged Chief Minister Shinde, stating, “The name of Ahmednagar city should be changed to Ahilya Nagar. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis changed the names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad based on public demand, and now the people are also calling for the renaming of Ahmednagar to Ahilya Nagar.”
The demand for renaming the Ahmednagar district has been raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since February, and it has now been officially confirmed.
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