Sun Nov 30 16:45:11 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
In late November 2025, the Union Home Ministry of India suggested renaming “Raj Bhavans” (official residences of Governors) and “Raj Niwas” (official residences of Lieutenant Governors) to “Lok Bhavans” and “Lok Niwas” respectively. This suggestion, stemming from a 2024 Governors’ conference, aims to remove the “colonial” connotation associated with the term “Raj.” The Governors of West Bengal and Ladakh were among the first to adopt the new nomenclature.
News Article:
India’s Governors’ Residences Shed Colonial Echoes: “Raj Bhavans” to Become “Lok Bhavans”
New Delhi – November 30, 2025 – In a move aimed at dismantling lingering vestiges of India’s colonial past, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) has issued a directive suggesting the renaming of “Raj Bhavans” and “Raj Niwas” to “Lok Bhavans” and “Lok Niwas,” respectively. These structures serve as the official residences of Governors of States and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.
The MHA’s letter, dated November 25th, 2025, informed the principal secretaries and secretaries of Governors and Lieutenant Governors that the proposal emerged during the 2024 Conference of Governors. The reasoning behind the change centers around the term “Raj,” which translates to “rule” or “kingdom” and is perceived as carrying colonial undertones. “Lok,” in contrast, signifies “people” or “public.”
The initiative has already gained traction. The Governor of West Bengal and Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh have adopted the new naming convention. Kavinder Gupta, from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, announced the change via social media platform X, stating, “A historic moment for Ladakh. Today, Raj Niwas has been officially renamed as Lok Niwas, symbolising our deep commitment to people-centric governance and inclusive development.”
The shift signifies a symbolic step towards a more people-centric and decolonized governance structure. The MHA’s recommendation invites all States and Union Territories to embrace the change for all official purposes, and it remains to be seen how widely the suggested names will be adopted across the nation.
First Piper 