"Indur unites past with future": VHRP's Yamuna Pathak on renaming Nizamabad

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 10 : National Mahila President of Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad, Yamuna Pathak, on Saturday, extended her support to Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind over his remarks on renaming Nizamabad as "Indur".
Speaking to ANI in Hyderabad, Yamuna Pathak said the name "Indur" reflects the region's historical and cultural identity. She stated that restoring the old name would help revive the traditional heritage associated with the place and strengthen public sentiment.
"Indur unites the past with the future, whereas Nizamabad chains us to a ruler's title. Why is reclaiming Hindu history called politics, but glorifying feudal rulers called secularism? Isn't it really surprising? This is not renaming a city, it's renaming our mindset from slavery to self-respect.", she emphasised.
"We need to understand one thing, that history correction is nation building, history denial is political insecurity, Indore is history, moreover, Nizamabad is a reminder of feudal rule.", Pathak added.
She further said that MP Dharmapuri Arvind's comments have resonated with many people who believe the original name should be restored. Yamuna Pathak added that her organisation stands firmly with the MP on this issue and will continue to advocate for renaming Nizamabad to Indur.
"People there connect with Indore. Renaming is a symbolic expression of a region's self-respect, not a communal division falsely projected by other parties. And we from Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parshad strongly support the statement made by BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind Jain, to rename Nizamabad as Indore.", she said.
Yamuna Pathak stated that defying a High Court order is not just contempt of court but an attack on the Constitution and the rule of law. She alleged that a Deputy Commissioner of Police obstructed a lawful order, raising concerns about bias and selective enforcement against Hindu religious practices.
Nizamabad Member of Parliament Dharmapuri Arvind recently stated that the BJP would change the district's name, arguing that names associated with the Nizam era reflect a painful past. Addressing party workers, Arvind said such names symbolise oppression and suffering and should be replaced to reflect cultural pride and nationalist identity.
Backing the statement, Telangana BJP State President Ramchander Rao said the party stands firmly with its Nizamabad MP. "Our Nizamabad MP has given a statement that if the BJP comes to power, we will change the name of Nizamabad to Indur. The BJP is with him," Rao said.
Rao added that the proposal is not limited to Nizamabad alone. He said several places across Telangana continue to carry names given during the Nizam rule, which he alleged was marked by atrocities. "These names remind us of that period. That is the reason they need to be changed. Not only Nizamabad, but there are also many cities in Telangana whose names have to be changed," he said.
Regarding the incident in December when unrest broke out during the Hindu festival of Karthigai Deepam, when activists from right-wing groups clashed with police. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had earlier directed that the lamp be lit at the hilltop temple.
She said "Deepam" is a matter of faith, not law, and denying devotees their religious rights is unacceptable in a democracy.
She added that officials must act under the Constitution and the judiciary, not above them, and appreciated Justice GR Swaminathan's warning, which sends a clear message that the state machinery cannot override court orders in matters of religious freedom.
"Contempt action is fully justified here. Justice D.R. Swaminathan's warning sends a clear signal, if you look at the state missionary, cannot override judicial orders, especially in matters of religious freedom," said Pathak.