Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that the state government will formally request changing the name of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to IIT Mumbai . Fadnavis stated he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Education Ministry. This move follows a public controversy ignited by recent remarks from Union Minister Jitendra Singh regarding the institution’s current name.
Union Minister’s Comments Trigger Controversy
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, addressed a function at IIT Bombay on Monday. During his speech, Singh commented, “As far as IIT Bombay is concerned, thank God it still is this name. You have not changed it to Mumbai.” He also noted IIT Madras had retained its original name. Singh’s statements quickly drew sharp criticism.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was among the first to react. Thackeray criticized Singh’s remarks, stating they revealed the central government’s underlying perspective on the city’s name.
Chief Minister Fadnavis Backs ‘Mumbai’ Identity
Interacting with reporters in Nagpur, CM Fadnavis emphasized the historical context of Mumbai’s name. He credited former BJP leader Ram Naik with playing a significant role in the city’s official renaming from Bombay to Mumbai. Fadnavis stated, “We always say Mumbai, and not Bombay. We have been consistently trying to ensure that ‘Bombay’ be replaced with Mumbai.”
The Chief Minister confirmed his commitment to this objective. He reiterated his plan to send a formal letter to the Prime Prime Minister and the Education Minister. The letter will specifically request the renaming of IIT Bombay to align with the city’s current official name.
Political Tensions Over Marathi Identity
MNS chief Raj Thackeray escalated the debate, framing it as an attack on Marathi identity. He suggested the controversy might be linked to upcoming Mumbai civic body elections. Thackeray posted on X, claiming a “plot to separate Mumbai” from Maharashtra had previously been foiled by Marathi leaders.
Thackeray asserted, “Our Marathi Mumbai remained in Maharashtra. Now, the bitterness that’s been festering in their bellies for decades is starting to spill out once again.” He urged residents of Mumbai and the entire Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to “open their eyes.” Thackeray alleged an attempt to “quietly take control of the city,” potentially linking it to Gujarat.
The MNS chief argued the name “Mumbai” itself causes irritation to some because it honors Mumbadevi, the city’s patron goddess. He drew parallels to the central government’s past “bid” to “wrest” Chandigarh from Punjab, suggesting a similar strategy for Mumbai. MNS workers demonstrated outside IIT Bombay on Wednesday, placing a banner to symbolically rename the institution IIT Mumbai.
Mumbai’s Official Name Change in 1995
The city, originally known as Bombay under British colonial rule, underwent an official name change in 1995. The state government formally renamed it Mumbai . This decision aimed to honor the local goddess Mumbadevi, after whom the city is named, and to distance the city from its colonial past.
IIT Bombay, a premier educational institution, was established in 1958. Its name has remained unchanged despite the city’s official renaming nearly three decades ago.
Calls Extend to Other Institutions
The call for renaming is not exclusive to IIT Bombay. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya publicly supported the state government’s proposal. Somaiya also advocated for renaming the Bombay High Court to Mumbai High Court. These collective efforts highlight a sustained push to standardize official names across various institutions within the city.