On July 25, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi criticized the recent renaming of two significant halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The halls, formerly known as Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall, have been renamed Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Mandap, respectively. Priyanka Gandhi’s comments highlight a broader debate over the implications and motivations behind the renaming, suggesting a shift away from historical concepts towards a more modern or ideological representation.
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- Priyanka Gandhi criticized the renaming of Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- She remarked, “There is no concept of Durbar but there is a concept of Shahenshah.”
- President Droupadi Murmu announced the renaming of these halls.
- Durbar Hall is now called Ganatantra Mandap.
- Ashok Hall is now known as Ashok Mandap.
- The renaming aims to reflect Indian cultural values and ethos, according to the President’s Secretariat.
- Ganatantra Mandap was formerly known as the Throne Room and hosted significant ceremonies including National Awards presentations.
- Ashok Mandap was previously used for presenting credentials and hosting formal state banquets.
- The renaming seeks to remove traces of anglicisation and maintain the values associated with the term ‘Ashok’.
- The changes are part of a broader effort to align official spaces with Indian cultural and historical contexts.
