Government of Arunachal Pradesh inaugurated a newly constructed road at Naharlagun° The Indian Youth Congress opposed the decision to name the city after Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. According to the organization, public infrastructure built with public tax money should be named after personalities who reflect the state’s history, culture and collective identity.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, the National General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress strongly criticized the BJP-led Arunachal Pradesh government. He said the road from Damsite to Model Village was built by Dr. Arun Jaitley, founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh.° The decision to name after Shyama Prasad Mukhopadhyay ignores Arunachal’s own history.
Tar Jani alleged that the government chose to honor a leader from outside Arunachal Pradesh ignoring the contributions of many eminent personalities of the state. He Moje Riba, Matmur Jamoh, Dr° He mentioned the contribution of leaders like Bengia Tolum, Talam Rukbo, Gegong Apang, Darji Khandu and Kalikho Pul who played an important role in shaping the history, development and public life of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Youth Congress leader added that instead of symbolic politics, the state government should focus more on pressing issues like unemployment, inadequate healthcare, poor education infrastructure and dilapidated rural roads.
Tar Johny urged the government to adopt a transparent and consultative policy for naming public infrastructure. According to him, the views of historians, indigenous organizations, civil society, public representatives and local people should be consulted in taking such decisions, so that the naming accurately reflects the aspirations and identity of the people of the state.