After the Centre approved renaming Kerala to Keralam, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has demanded that Delhi be renamed Indraprastha, citing its Mahabharata roots. Here’s the full proposal, historical background, political reactions, legal challenges, and what it could mean for India’s capital.

New Delhi: Just one day after the Union Cabinet approved renaming Kerala as “Keralam,” a BJP Member of Parliament has again raised the demand to change the name of the national capital from Delhi to Indraprastha — the ancient name connected to the Pandavas in the Mahabharata.

On February 24, 2026, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Kerala’s proposal to officially change its English name to Keralam, which matches its Malayalam pronunciation.

The very next day, February 25, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal, who represents Chandni Chowk, wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah asking for a similar step to rename Delhi as Indraprastha.

He also wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, requesting that the Delhi Assembly pass a resolution supporting the name change.

What Is Being Proposed?

In his letter, Khandelwal made these demands:

• Rename the national capital Delhi to Indraprastha.
• Rename Old Delhi Railway Station to Indraprastha Junction.
• Rename Indira Gandhi International Airport to Indraprastha Airport.
• Install statues of the five Pandavas at Purana Qila and other major locations to educate younger generations about the city’s historical and cultural importance.

Why Indraprastha? The MP’s Argument

Khandelwal said the name “Delhi” represents only a limited historical period and does not reflect the city’s deeper and older civilisational roots. He argued that bringing back the name Indraprastha would reconnect modern India’s capital with its ancient heritage.

After that he said this would show that the capital of the world’s largest democracy stands on the legacy of one of the world’s oldest cultural traditions. He also described Delhi as more than just a big city, saying it has long been the centre of Indian civilisation, representing religion, governance, and democracy.

Historical and Archaeological Background

• Indraprastha is mentioned in the Mahabharata as the grand capital built by the Pandavas.
• Excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India at Purana Qila have found settlement layers dating back to around 1000 BCE. Items like Painted Grey Ware pottery have been discovered, which some historians connect to the Mahabharata period.

The MP also mentioned earlier name changes such as Mumbai (from Bombay), Kolkata (from Calcutta), Prayagraj (from Allahabad), and Kashi, saying these examples show how cities have reclaimed their historical and indigenous identities.

Not the First Time

Praveen Khandelwal had made the same demand in October 2025. Similar demands have also come earlier from the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. However, so far, these demands have not moved beyond the proposal stage.

What Historians and Critics Say

Some historians say Delhi has a long and layered history — from ancient times to the Sultanate, Mughal, British, and modern eras. They argue that changing the name could ignore or reduce this shared and diverse history.

Some critics have also questioned whether this issue should be a priority when the capital is facing serious challenges like pollution, infrastructure problems, and urban governance.

Opposition parties have not yet given detailed reactions, but in the past, similar proposals were criticised as “communal” or as symbolic distractions from more urgent matters.

Practical Challenges of Renaming

Renaming the national capital would not be simple.

• Administrative cost: Changing signboards, official documents, maps, passports, and global databases for a city of more than 30 million people could cost hundreds of crores.
• International impact: “Delhi” is a globally recognised name, linked to institutions like Delhi Airport and Delhi University.
• Legal process: Unlike changing a state’s name, which requires a Constitutional amendment, renaming the national capital would need approval from the Central government and possibly Parliament.

Current Status

The Home Ministry has received the MP’s letter. However, there is no official confirmation that the government is actively reviewing or processing the proposal. At present, it remains a political demand only.

What This Means for India’s Capital

The demand, coming right after the Keralam decision, has restarted the debate: Should India’s city names strongly reflect ancient civilisational roots, or should practical concerns and layered history be given priority?

Supporters say the name Indraprastha would proudly reconnect the capital to the Mahabharata era. Critics believe it may ignore centuries of diverse history that also shape modern Delhi.

Whether this proposal moves forward or remains just a letter will depend on the government’s response in the coming weeks.