‘Renaming Mewat To Nuh Is Mere Politics Sans Development Plan’

Locals blame successive governments for sidelining their development blueprint and politicising the name issue.

Haryana Government has removed the name ‘Mewat’ from its 21st and most backward district Mewat (Nooh). (Photo: The Quint)

With the reasoning of Mewat being a geographical and cultural unit, Haryana Government has removed the name ‘Mewat’ from its 21st and most backward district Mewat (Nuh).

After making this change on 12th April, speaker of Haryana Cabinet stated that Mewat is not a town but a geographical unit. The headquarters of this district is located in Nuh, on which the entire district has been named.

Government also claims that the name of this district was changed on people’s demand.

Meo Muslims form a majority in this district. Nuh has been their home since centuries and consider Mewat as a part of their identity. Most of the people of Meo community consider this change of name a blow to their cultural identity and history.

‘The Quint’ had a word with the people living here who were of the opinion that this region requires development, not change of name. This area is economically backward and lacks basic amenities like water, electricity and transportation.

Nuh is home to 36 different communities apart from Meo Muslims. Relations between Hindus (who form 17% of the population) and the majority Muslims are cordial and together, they are all worried about the development of the district. Therefore the change of name is merely an RSS agenda and not a part of any blueprint to bring development to the region, say the locals.