Uttar Pradesh Government Proposes Renaming Mustafabad to Kabirdham: Restoring Cultural Heritage Linked to Sant Kabir

Yogi Adityanath said his government would seek a formal proposal for the name change. (File)

Lakhimpur Kheri:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Monday that his administration plans to propose renaming Mustafabad village in Lakhimpur Kheri district to 'Kabirdham'. The CM emphasized that this change would restore the area's historical and cultural connection to Sant Kabir, aligning with his government's previous efforts to restore original names of places altered by former rulers.

Speaking at the "Smriti Mahotsav Mela 2025", Adityanath highlighted how his government now allocates funds to revitalize sites of religious and cultural significance, contrasting with previous administrations that he claimed focused on "constructing boundary walls of 'kabristan'" (graveyards).

The Chief Minister criticized opposition parties, stating that changing a location's identity under the guise of secularism constitutes "hypocrisy" and declared that "the era of erasing heritage under the pretext of secularism has ended".

During the event, Adityanath expressed surprise upon learning that the village carried the name Mustafabad despite having no Muslim residents. "When I came here I asked about this village; I was told its name is Mustafabad. I asked how many Muslims live here, and I was told there are none. Then I said the name should be changed. It should be called Kabirdham," he told attendees.

The CM confirmed his administration would pursue a formal proposal for the name change and implement the necessary administrative procedures. "We will bring the proposal and take it forward. This is about restoring the honour of a place associated with Sant Kabir's legacy," he stated.

Adityanath drew parallels to similar renaming initiatives undertaken during his tenure. "Those who ruled earlier renamed Ayodhya as Faizabad, Prayagraj as Allahabad, and Kabirdham as Mustafabad. Our government is reversing that -- restoring Ayodhya, restoring Prayagraj, and now reviving Kabirdham to its rightful name," he explained.

The Chief Minister also emphasized the BJP's "double-engine government" commitment to developing and beautifying religious sites across Uttar Pradesh. "We have said every pilgrimage site should be beautified. Facilities for devotees such as rest houses and shelters should be built, and through the tourism and culture departments, we are reviving every major site of faith -- be it Kashi, Ayodhya, Kushinagar, Naimisharanya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul or Govardhan," he noted.

He asserted that public funds are now directed toward cultural and religious rejuvenation projects, unlike in previous years. "Earlier, this money used to go for constructing boundary walls of 'kabristan'. Now it is being used to develop our centres of faith and heritage," he remarked.

Adityanath indicated that these efforts reflect cultural pride and continuity. "This is the spirit of belongingness, a revival of our civilisational identity. The government will continue to work towards restoring the glory of sites that reflect India's spiritual and cultural roots," he added.

The Chief Minister noted that development in border districts like Lakhimpur Kheri is gaining momentum, with new roads under construction, an operational medical college, and plans to expand the local airport. He also mentioned that eco-tourism would bring a new direction to the district's growth.

Praising Saint Asangdev Ji Maharaj for spreading religious consciousness and promoting de-addiction, the CM warned, "Intoxication leads to destruction. Foreign forces are conspiring to ruin our youth. We must save the new generation from this."

During Adityanath's tenure as UP Chief Minister, numerous places have been officially renamed. In 2018, Allahabad became Prayagraj, and Faizabad district and division were renamed Ayodhya. That same year, Mughalsarai town and its railway junction were renamed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar and Junction respectively, following central government approval.

In 2021, Jhansi railway station was renamed Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station. In 2022, Faizabad Cantonment became Ayodhya Cantonment, while Mundera Bazar in Gorakhpur was renamed Chauri-Chaura and Telia Afghan village in Deoria became Telia Shukla after receiving Union Home Ministry approval. Most recently, Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur was renamed Parshurampuri in 2025 after completing state and central approval processes.

Several other places in UP have been subject to public or political speculation regarding potential name changes, including Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Akbarpur, Firozabad, Farrukhabad, Moradabad, Azamgarh, Sultanpur, Shahjahanpur, and Ghazipur.

Name changes have consistently been a contentious, politically sensitive topic in UP. During her recent October 9 Lucknow rally, BSP chief Mayawati criticized the Samajwadi Party government (2012-2017) under Akhilesh Yadav for renaming places that her administration (2007-2012) had named after Dalit icons or other leaders.

She specifically mentioned the renaming of Kanshiram Nagar to Kasganj by the SP government in 2012. Other notable renamings that have been politically disputed between these two rival parties include changing Mahamaya Nagar to Hathras, JP Nagar to Amroha, Chatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Nagar to Amethi, Ramabai Nagar to Kanpur Dehat, Bheem Nagar to Sambhal, Prabuddha Nagar to Shamli, and Panchsheel Nagar to Hapur.

Additionally, Lucknow's King George's Medical University, renamed during Mayawati's administration to Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj, was restored to its original name by the Akhilesh Yadav government.