Nashik renames 81 caste-based localities and lanes; civic body to publish gazette

Nashik: The state social welfare department had directed that caste-based names of roads, squares, wadas and settlements within municipal limits be changed. A re-check of whether this was done has now begun, giving fresh momentum to the campaign in Nashik, and the municipal corporation has started the process of publishing a gazette of 81 changed names.

The process was reviewed at a meeting chaired by divisional commissioner Dr Praveen Gedam, after which local bodies were required to pass resolutions, publish gazettes of the changed names and report that no caste-based names remain. Accordingly, the collector has ordered the corporation to submit the report urgently.

A survey by the corporation's social welfare department had produced proposals for 81 such names, which the general body approved, though the changes met local opposition in some places. Kumbharwada, for example, will now be known as Bhuminagar, and Koliwada as Kaushalyanagar.

The state decided to change such names in the interest of social harmony and equality. Once the gazette is published, a report stating that no caste-based names remain in the city will be sent to the collector's office.

Sources: Sarkarnama; Pudhari