Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared on Monday that the village of Mustafabad in the Lakhimpur Kheri district will be renamed Kabir Dham. This move is the latest in a series of renaming initiatives across the state, which the Chief Minister stated are part of broader efforts to restore cultural pride and historical identity.
During an event in Lakhimpur Kheri, Adityanath drew parallels with previous name changes, such as Faizabad becoming Ayodhya and Allahabad transforming into Prayagraj. He stated, “And Mustafabad will again be made Kabir Dham… connecting you with the programme to restore the pride.” The renaming of Allahabad in 2018 had sparked similar demands from various Hindu groups advocating for the revision of names they believe are linked to Mughal rulers.
Adityanath shared his rationale for the change, recalling an inquiry he made upon learning the name of Mustafabad. When he asked about the number of Muslim residents, the response was none. “But the name was Mustafabad. I said this name has to change, and make it Kabir Dham. We will get a name change proposal and initiate the process,” he said, indicating a formal process would be followed.
He further elaborated on the government’s stance, stating that while others may have created names like Ayodhya from Faizabad, or Prayagraj from Allahabad, his government was responsible for these transformations, including the renaming of Mustafabad to Kabir Dham.
The Chief Minister also paid homage to saints and highlighted the commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at both the state and central levels towards the restoration and beautification of religious sites. He contrasted current efforts with past expenditures on what he termed “graveyard boundaries,” emphasizing the focus on preserving the identity of religious landmarks.
Adityanath also addressed the importance of national unity and vigilance against divisive forces. He criticized opposition parties for allegedly using secularism as a guise for hypocrisy and warned against anti-social elements attempting to sow division based on caste, likening such societal weaknesses to cancer that erodes the fabric of society if not addressed promptly.
Defining patriotism as the ultimate solution to all challenges, Adityanath stated, “This land is not just a piece of soil. It is our motherland and fatherland. Serving this land is true worship.” He stressed the importance of preserving one’s identity and culture, noting that attacks on culture and faith, often through caste-based divisions or insults to Sanatan Dharma, require internal reflection and correction.
He called for self-improvement and addressing internal shortcomings to prevent societal wounds from worsening, advocating for action guided by the wisdom of saints for the welfare of the nation.
Reflecting on national progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Adityanath noted India’s significant economic growth, moving from an identity crisis marked by corruption and divisive politics to becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, with aspirations to be the third-largest superpower.
He pointed to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a testament to realized dreams, highlighting Ayodhya’s transformation into a major pilgrimage site, attracting over 60 million devotees last year. This revitalization of religious sites, he asserted, has significantly boosted faith and tourism.
Finally, Adityanath cautioned against foreign influences aiming to corrupt youth and urged a focus on self-development and reduced phone usage. He also promoted government initiatives such as providing ₹1,500 monthly for cow maintenance and advocated for natural farming to combat land degradation, underscoring the environmental and economic benefits of cow protection and natural practices.