New Delhi | October 19, 2025 — The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has formally urged the Delhi government to rename the national capital as ‘Indraprastha’, invoking the city’s purported ancient connections to the Mahabharataera. The proposal also includes renaming several prominent landmarks and institutions, including the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Railway Station, and the Shahjahanabad Development Board.
VHP’s Formal Request
On Sunday, the VHP submitted a letter to Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra, demanding the renaming of the capital city and its major public infrastructures. The organization’s Delhi prant secretary, Surendra Kumar Gupta, emphasized that renaming the city would reconnect Delhi with its ancient history and heritage.
“Names aren’t mere changes; they mirror a nation’s consciousness. When we say Delhi, we only see a period of 2,000 years. But when we say Indraprastha, we connect with a glorious history spanning 5,000 years,” Gupta wrote in the letter, as reported by PTI.
The VHP claims that the legendary city of Indraprastha, described in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, corresponds to the location of modern-day Delhi, and that the renaming would acknowledge this historical and cultural legacy.
Proposed Changes to Key Landmarks
Apart from renaming Delhi, the VHP’s letter proposes several changes to significant city landmarks:
- Indira Gandhi International Airport → Indraprastha International Airport
- Delhi Railway Station → Indraprastha Railway Station
- Shahjahanabad Development Board → Indraprastha Development Board
Gupta argued that these changes would reflect India’s rich cultural heritage and pay homage to the city’s ancient rulers and Hindu traditions.
Emphasis on Cultural Representation
The VHP has also called for a restructured approach to Delhi’s heritage walks and historical narratives. Gupta stressed that forts, temples, and monuments associated with Hindu kings should be prominently featured to ensure a balanced portrayal of the city’s history.
The letter suggests that wherever memorials exist for Muslim rulers or invaders, complementary recognition should be given to Hindu heroes, sages, and sites from the Pandava period, thereby creating a more inclusive historical narrative.
Further recommendations include:
- Establishing a grand memorial in the name of King Hemchandra Vikramaditya.
- Setting up a King Hemchandra Vikramaditya Military School in Delhi.
- Incorporating the history of Hemchandra Vikramaditya and Indraprastha into the city’s education curriculum.
Gupta claimed that these proposals were drawn from suggestions by scholars, historians, and public representatives during the recently held ‘Indraprastha Punarjagran Sankalp Sabha’ in Delhi.
Historical and Cultural Context
The VHP’s demands are rooted in the narrative that Indraprastha, as described in the Mahabharata, was a magnificent city established by the Pandavas. The organization argues that modern-day Delhi has been associated with more recent historical eras, spanning roughly 2,000 years, whereas invoking Indraprastha would connect residents and visitors with a heritage extending over 5,000 years.
According to Gupta, adopting the name Indraprastha would not only restore historical consciousness but also foster cultural pride among citizens by highlighting the city’s pre-Mughal Hindu legacy.
Public and Political Implications
The proposal to rename the capital city and its landmarks is likely to spark debate among historians, political leaders, and urban planners, given Delhi’s layered history spanning ancient, medieval, and modern periods. While the VHP emphasizes cultural reclamation, critics may argue that renaming could overshadow other significant historical and cultural contributions.
Renaming cities and landmarks in India has historically been a sensitive issue, balancing heritage, politics, and identity. Delhi’s modern identity has evolved through Mughal, British colonial, and post-independence influences, making any renaming effort both symbolic and politically charged.
Next Steps
The letter was formally addressed to Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra, who now holds the authority to review and potentially forward the proposal to the Delhi Cabinet and the Union Government for consideration. Any official renaming would require approval at multiple administrative levels and likely involve extensive public consultation.
The VHP has indicated that it will continue to advocate for its proposals through public forums, scholarly discussions, and community initiatives to promote awareness of Delhi’s ancient heritage.
Conclusion
The VHP’s call to rename Delhi as Indraprastha, along with the proposed changes to key landmarks, underscores ongoing debates about cultural identity, historical narratives, and the preservation of heritage in India’s capital. As the city continues to balance its rich past with modern aspirations, the discussion on renaming may provoke wider conversations about history, memory, and civic identity.
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