Dinesh Sharma, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and former Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, recently moved into his newly allotted residence at 6 Tughlaq Lane. On March 6, 2025, Sharma performed a traditional housewarming ceremony, sharing images on social media that showcased the updated nameplate. The plaque prominently displays "Swami Vivekananda Marg," with "Tughlaq Lane" noted in parentheses beneath. Sharma commented, "Today, along with my family, I performed a housewarming ceremony and formally moved into my new residence on Swami Vivekananda Marg in New Delhi."
Similarly, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar has modified the address on his official residence's nameplate to "Swami Vivekananda Marg," reflecting a concerted effort among BJP officials to promote indigenous heritage. Both leaders have emphasized that while the new designation honors Swami Vivekananda, the original name, Tughlaq Lane, remains acknowledged. Sharma clarified, "If you look properly, Tughlaq Lane is also written on my nameplate."
This development occurs amid ongoing discussions within the BJP to rename various locations in the national capital. Proposals have surfaced to change the names of areas such as Mustafabad and Najafgarh to titles that better reflect India's historical and cultural narratives. In previous instances, significant roads like Aurangzeb Road were renamed to honor former President APJ Abdul Kalam, and Race Course Road was rechristened as Lok Kalyan Marg.
The original designation, Tughlaq Lane, derives its name from Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty and ruler of the Delhi Sultanate from 1320 to 1325. His reign is noted for military conquests and architectural contributions, including the construction of Tughlaqabad Fort. However, the Tughlaq dynasty's legacy is complex, with subsequent rulers like Muhammad bin Tughlaq implementing policies that led to economic distress and weakened the empire.
In contrast, Swami Vivekananda, born in 1863, emerged as a pivotal figure in introducing Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. His address at the 1893 Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago garnered global attention and positioned him as a key influencer in the revival of Hinduism in India. Vivekananda's teachings emphasized universal brotherhood, self-awakening, and the importance of education, leaving an indelible mark on India's spiritual and cultural identity.
The decision by BJP leaders to rename their residences underscores a broader movement to revisit and, in some cases, revise historical narratives associated with colonial or Mughal-era nomenclature. Supporters argue that such changes serve to correct historical imbalances and honor figures who embody India's indigenous values and contributions. Critics, however, caution that altering historical names may oversimplify complex pasts and lead to the erasure of certain historical contexts.