On Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu announced the renaming of two prominent halls within Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ‘Durbar Hall’ will now be referred to as ‘Ganatantra Mandap,’ while ‘Ashok Hall’ has been renamed ‘Ashok Mandap.’
Motivation Behind the Renaming
According to a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, this renaming initiative is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the accessibility of the residence and better reflect Indian cultural values. This move is in line with a broader trend of renaming place names across India since the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government assumed power. It is important to clarify that President Murmu’s decision is independent of the ruling party’s actions and is not influenced by any political motives other than the timing of the announcement.
Rebranding ‘Durbar Hall’ to ‘Ganatantra Mandap’
‘Durbar Hall,’ a key venue for important ceremonies including the presentation of National Awards, has been renamed ‘Ganatantra Mandap.’ The term ‘Durbar,’ historically associated with the courts and assemblies of Indian rulers as well as British colonial rule, has become less relevant following India’s transition to a republic, known as ‘Ganatantra.’ The new name, ‘Ganatantra Mandap,’ reflects India’s republican values and cultural heritage.
Transformation of ‘Ashok Hall’ to ‘Ashok Mandap’
Originally a ballroom, ‘Ashok Hall’ is now designated as ‘Ashok Mandap.’ The name ‘Ashok’ denotes freedom from sorrow and is connected to Emperor Ashok, who represents unity and peaceful coexistence. The National Emblem of India is derived from the lion capital of Ashok at Sarnath. The Ashok tree also holds significant meaning in Indian religious traditions and cultural practices. Renaming ‘Ashok Hall’ to ‘Ashok Mandap’ removes elements of anglicisation while preserving the important cultural values associated with the name ‘Ashok.’
Previous Renaming Initiatives
In September of the previous year, President Droupadi Murmu approved the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) to the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society (Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya).
