Sat Sep 14 05:47:35 UTC 2024: ## Port Blair Renamed Sri Vijaya Puram, Sparks Debate
**Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands:** The capital city of the Union Territory, Port Blair, has been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram, a move that has been met with mixed reactions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the renaming, stating that the previous name had colonial connotations. He explained that Sri Vijaya Puram symbolizes the victory achieved in India’s freedom struggle and the islands’ crucial role in it.
The BJP has welcomed the decision, with party leaders calling it a much-needed step towards erasing colonial legacies and reclaiming India’s historical identity. BJP MP Bishnu Pada Ray highlighted that the previous name reminded people of slavery during British rule.
However, the Congress has voiced its opposition, arguing that the public should have been consulted before the renaming. TSG Bhasker, chairman of the Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress’s campaign committee, called the move “meaningless” and expressed disappointment that the central government did not engage with the islanders.
Public opinion on the name change is divided, with some residents expressing their support while others deem it absurd.
The renaming of Port Blair, a strategically significant location that served as a naval base for the Chola Empire, is seen as a crucial step in establishing India’s strategic and developmental aspirations in the region.
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