Gen VK Singh writes to Naidu over renaming Akbar Road

The former chief of Army has backed his suggestion saying Maharana Pratap was “truly secular” and has motivated Indians for generations in his letter dated May 16, 2016. “I do find that one historical personality that has motivated generations — Maharana Pratap — has not been given his due. You would be aware that he was not only instrumental in stopping the might of the Mughal King Akbar but he was truly secular and a man of the masses,” General Singh has written in his letter. Millennium Post has accessed the letter of General Singh. In his letter, the MoS has written that Maharana Pratap’s army was led by a Pathan and had bhils, adivasis and others as soldiers. 

“The Vaishya (trader) community led by Bhamashah provided him material support in his fight to retain independence from the Mughals,” he says. He also added: “In view of this, I would request you to honour this great son of India by renaming the Akbar Road as Maharana Pratap Road or a suitably important road in the Lutyen’s Zone in his name. This would provide recognition to his valour and spirit of secularism which makes our country great. I do feel that important personalities like Maharana Pratap and Chatrapati Shivaji deserve greater recognition than they have been given thus far.”

The Urban Development Ministry has confirmed that they have received the letter from Gen VK Singh’s office. However, no decision has been taken so far, sources told Millennium Post.

Incidentally, the headquarters of the Opposition Congress are located on Akbar Road.

After similar requests were made by BJP MPs Maheish Girri and Meenakshi Lekhi, the centrally-controlled New Delhi Municipal Council changed the name of Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road after the late former President’s honour last year.