A ten-member committee established by the West Bengal government is currently reviewing proposals that aim to rename several roads, bridges, and public spaces across the state. Among the key roads under consideration are those named after notable communist figures: Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, and Ho Chi Minh, situated in Kolkata.

The committee will be led by Swami Pradiptananda, also known as Kartik Maharaj of Bharat Sevashram. The first meeting of this committee is slated to occur following the Durga Puja celebrations in October 2026. According to senior committee member Tathagata Roy, specific discussions regarding the Kolkata roads will likely take place during this initial gathering.

He clarified that no decisions regarding the proposals have been finalised at this time. The recommendations and suggestions presented by the committee will be compiled and submitted to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for further action.

Proposals for Renaming Specific Roads

Among the roads proposed for renaming are Lenin Sarani, Karl Marx Sarani, and Ho Chi Minh Sarani. Tathagata Roy suggested that Karl Marx Sarani, located in Kidderpore, could be renamed after notable Bengali poets such as Michael Madhusudan Dutt or Rangalal Bandyopadhyay, citing their historical connection to the area.

Additionally, he indicated an interest in renaming Lenin Sarani, formerly known as Dharmatala Street, in honour of Debaprasad Ghosh, a mathematician and former president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. In addressing the renaming of Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Roy proposed the alternative name of Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent American civil rights leader.

He has also expressed a desire to reconsider names associated with figures from the Muslim community, recommending that public places named after them could instead pay tribute to individuals he characterized as “nationalist Muslims”. One specific suggestion was to rename the Titumir bus stand in Barasat after well-respected personalities.

These include people such as writer Qazi Abdul Wadud and educationist Begum Rokeya. Furthermore, Roy has brought forward the idea of renaming certain railway stations along the Tollygunge-Garia stretch of the Blue Line to reflect the actual geographical areas rather than historical figures.

He emphasised that this change would be beneficial for both commuters and local residents. In addition, he advocated for naming a significant city road after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a crucial role in India’s independence and governance.

Future Steps and Committee Composition

The recommendations from the committee will eventually be forwarded to the state Assembly for consideration. In addition to Roy, the committee’s members include notable figures such as Chief Minister’s adviser Subrata Gupta and Kolkata Municipal Corporation Commissioner Smita Pandey.

This diverse assembly aims to evaluate various renaming proposals thoroughly after the Durga Puja festivities, though no final decision has been made to date. The committee’s work reflects ongoing discussions around the significance of names attributed to public spaces and whether changes may be warranted in contemporary contexts.

As the state prepares for its first meeting post-Durga Puja, the community remains attentive to the potential implications of these renaming initiatives. The recommendations may not only influence local sentiment but could also shape the cultural narrative within the region for years to come.

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