Mumbai: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that he will formally request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rename IIT Bombay as IIT Mumbai. The statement comes days after Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh sparked debate by expressing support for retaining the institute’s old name, “IIT Bombay,” instead of adopting “IIT Mumbai.”
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said the BJP has always stood firmly for the name “Mumbai,” pointing to the party’s historic role in the city’s renaming. He recalled that BJP leader Rambhau Naik had played a significant part in the transition from Bombay to Mumbai.
“For us, it is Mumbai. The traces of the name Bombay must end. I will personally write to the Prime Minister and the Union Education Ministry requesting that IIT Bombay be officially renamed IIT Mumbai,” Fadnavis declared.
Responding to criticism from MNS chief Raj Thackeray—who mocked the government over the matter—Fadnavis took a veiled swipe, saying, “Some people criticize the government but will never ask to rename the school where their own children study.”
The controversy stems from Dr. Jitendra Singh’s remarks at an IIT Bombay event, where he said he was “glad” the institution had not been renamed IIT Mumbai. He also cited IIT Madras as an example of why original names should be preserved.
