BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal.
Credit: PTI
New Delhi: BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has appealed to the Centre to rename Delhi as ‘Indraprastha’, in order to pay tribute to the city’s historical legacy. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 1, as well as to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and other ministers, he said that this is in the interest of civilisational symbolism and cultural reclamation.
Khandelwal said the name “Indraprastha” carries deep historical and cultural significance, tracing back to the Mahabharata era when it was believed to be the capital of the Pandavas. “Renaming Delhi as Indraprastha would be a fitting tribute to its glorious past and a reminder of India’s timeless heritage,” he said.
In his letter, Khandelwal said that two key landmarks should also be renamed to carry the Indraprastha identity – the historic Old Delhi Railway Station should become “Indraprastha Junction” and the Indira Gandhi International Airport should be renamed “Indraprastha Airport”. He also suggested that statues of the Pandavas at prominent locations across the city should come up, so that younger people can be made aware of their heritage and to “inspire future generations with the values of righteousness, duty and justice”.
He said that Delhi is “not merely a metropolis” but a living symbol of Indian civilisation “embodying the spirit, ethics, and tradition of public welfare”. “History bears witness that during the Mahabharata era, the Pandavas established their capital,” he said.
Khandelwal argued that restoring Delhi’s ancient name would be “a step towards reviving the soul of Indian civilisation”. “This is not just a name change; it’s about reclaiming our history and reinstating the pride of our cultural identity,” he wrote in his letter.
Drawing parallels with cities such as Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Varanasi, which have either reverted to or highlighted their ancient names, the BJP MP said Delhi too should reconnect with its original identity. “If other historic cities can embrace their roots, why should the national capital lag behind?” he asked.