Staff Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 26: In a significant move, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed on 23rd Sept 2024 in the Calcutta High Court’s Circuit Bench at Sri Vijaya Puram, formerly known as Port Blair, challenging the renaming of the town, was heard today.According to details the matter is fixed for orders tomorrow.
The petitioner, Shri Prohit Mohan Lal, an well-known advocate from Naya Gaon village, South Andaman District, has raised serious concerns about the abrupt decision to rename the historically significant town without proper consultation or consideration of its socio-cultural and financial implications.
The PIL, filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, calls for judicial intervention to set aside the controversial decision. The writ specifically seeks a certiorari to quash Notification No. 99/2024 dated 14th September 2024, which approved the renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram. The petition also questions the legality of the approval granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, arguing that the process violated established executive guidelines and lacked the required public consultation.
Renaming Without Public Consultation:
The petitioner argues that the renaming process was conducted hastily over a mere four days, without any meaningful consultation with the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The PIL claims that the decision has caused widespread discontent among the islanders, who were neither informed nor involved in the decision-making process. The petitioner emphasizes that Port Blair, a town with deep historical and cultural significance, was renamed without adhering to the executive instructions issued by the Government of India.
In his petition, Shri Lal cited the executive guidelines issued by the Government of India in 1953 and 1981, which require state governments and Union Territories to seek prior concurrence from the Union Government before changing the names of places. These guidelines also mandate that any such decision must be backed by compelling reasons, and public consultation must be conducted. According to the petitioner, none of these procedures were followed in the case of renaming Port Blair.
Impact on Local Culture and History:
One of the primary concerns raised in the petition is the negative impact of the name change on the composite culture of Port Blair. The PIL asserts that Port Blair, home to a diverse population for over 160 years, has developed a unique identity that reflects the island’s multicultural heritage. The abrupt decision to rename the town to Sri Vijaya Puram, a name with South Indian historical connotations, has alienated many islanders, who feel disconnected from the new name.
The petitioner also points out that the historical significance of Port Blair, which played a crucial role during the British colonial period and the Indian freedom struggle, has been undermined by the name change. Iconic freedom fighters like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and V.D. Savarkar are associated with the town, and the petitioner argues that renaming it without considering its rich history dishonors their contributions.
Questionable Historical Justification:
The PIL also challenges the historical justification provided for the name change. According to the notification, the name Sri Vijaya Puram was chosen to reflect the legacy of the Chola Empire, which allegedly had a maritime base in the region. However, the petitioner refutes this claim, stating that historians have confirmed that the Chola dynasty’s maritime base was in the Nicobar Islands, not Port Blair. Furthermore, the petitioner argues that the Chola Empire, known for its imperialist ambitions, has no connection to the British colonial legacy, which is a more appropriate historical reference for Port Blair.
The petitioner also raises concerns about potential international ramifications. The name “Sri Vijaya Puram” is closely associated with the Chola conquest of the Sri Vijaya Kingdom, located in present-day Indonesia. The petitioner fears that reviving a name linked to imperialist expansion could strain diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia, a friendly neighboring country.
Financial and Logistical Implications:
Another significant issue highlighted in the PIL is the financial burden the name change will impose on the residents of Port Blair and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The petitioner estimates that the cost of updating essential documents, including land records, school certificates, Aadhaar cards, passports, and voter IDs, could run into hundreds of crores. The process would also be time-consuming and inconvenient for the town’s residents, many of whom are already grappling with other pressing issues such as water shortages, poor infrastructure, and unemployment.
The petition criticizes the respondents for failing to consider these financial implications before approving the name change. The petitioner argues that the money and resources required for this process could be better utilized to address the more immediate needs of the islanders.
Violation of Constitutional Rights:
The PIL further contends that the renaming of Port Blair violates several constitutional rights, including the right to culture under Article 29 and the right to life under Article 21. The petitioner asserts that the name Port Blair has become an integral part of the town’s identity and its people. Any attempt to alter this identity without sufficient justification amounts to an assault on the cultural and historical heritage of the town’s residents.
The petition also highlights that Article 51A(f) of the Constitution enshrines the fundamental duty to value and preserve the rich heritage of India’s composite culture. The petitioner argues that the decision to rename Port Blair ignores this duty and erases a significant part of the island’s cultural heritage.
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