The renaming of Surawardy Avenue in Kolkata's Park Circus area has sparked a political debate, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stating that roads and public places in the city should not bear the names of Mughals or Pathans.
The issue surfaced during a discussion on the Governor's address in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday, where opposition leaders questioned the decision to rename Surawardy Avenue as Gopal Mukherjee Road.
Opposition questions renaming decision
Leader of the Opposition Rittabrata Banerjee argued that a road in the Bowbazar area would have been a more suitable choice for naming after Gopal Mukherjee because of his historical association with the locality.
Rebel Trinamool Congress MLA Sabina Yasmin also raised objections. She noted that former University of Calcutta Vice-Chancellor, educationist and physician Hassan Suhrawardy was not the same person as Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the last Premier of undivided Bengal and a prominent Muslim League leader.
Also Read | Taratala warehouse roof collapse: 3 dead as rescuers search for dozens trapped under debris
'Surawardy's name will not remain'
Responding to the criticism, Suvendu Adhikari said he was unaware of who initiated the name change but had publicly welcomed the move.
"I do not know who changed the name. I thanked them through a post on X. Whenever I travelled through Seven Point Crossing, I saw the signboard reading Surawardy Avenue. The name Surawardy cannot remain. If anyone believes a true patriot and nationalist like former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam deserves recognition, provide the information and we will honour him. But why should Surawardy's name remain?" he said.
'No Mughal or Pathan names in Kolkata'
The Chief Minister also linked the issue to historical events and suggested a wider review of names associated with foreign figures.
"There will be no names of Mughals or Pathans in Kolkata. Considering events like the Great Calcutta Killing, the Noakhali riots, oppressive British rule, and related historical chapters, we must think five times before naming roads after foreigners, except Sister Nivedita," he said.
His remarks have reignited discussions over the future of roads named after international political figures in Kolkata.
Former mayor questions procedure
Former Kolkata Mayor and senior CPM leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya questioned whether the renaming followed established civic procedures.
"Earlier, any proposal to rename a road in Kolkata required consultation with experts. A naming committee would assess the necessity of the change and recommend it to the municipal board. Only then would the proposal receive final approval. None of that is happening now; a commissioner is acting unilaterally," he said.
According to Bhattacharya, road renaming proposals were traditionally examined by a dedicated committee before receiving approval from the civic body.
KMC confirms name change
Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner Smita Pandey confirmed that the road's name has already been changed.
"We have already changed the name of Surawardy Avenue. The road is now called Gopal Mukherjee Road," she said.
Also Read | ABVP welcomes Bengal Budget 2026-27, hails education, scholarships and women-centric measures
New naming committee announced
Amid the controversy, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a new committee to review naming and renaming proposals.
"I am announcing a committee for naming and evaluation under the leadership of Swami Pradiptananda Maharaj. He will lead the committee. Anyone with suggestions may submit them there," Suvendu said.
The committee will be headed by Padma Shri awardee Swami Pradiptananda (Kartik) Maharaj.
CPM sees wider implications
During his speech, CM Suvendu also aimed Rittabrata Banerjee over his remarks in the Assembly.
"Your speech sounded like that of a Communist leader. Karl Marx is in your mind, and Lenin or Mao Zedong in your heart. We will not take lessons from those who once called Netaji 'Tojo's dog' and Rabindranath a 'bourgeois poet,'" he said.
The CPM believes the comments could signal a broader debate over road names in Kolkata. With roads such as Lenin Sarani and Ho Chi Minh Sarani still existing in the city, Left leaders are not ruling out the possibility of similar discussions in the future following the Chief Minister's remarks on names linked to foreign personalities.
