BJP-led Maharashtra government has renamed Mumbai's iconic railway terminus as well as the airport, already named after warrior king Shivaji, by adding Maharaj to the name. They will be known as 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus' and 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport' respectively.
The sprawling railway terminus, a marvellous structure and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also the headquarters of the Central Railways. The station was built in 1887 in Bori Bunder area of Bombay (now Mumbai) to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. While the Sahar airport in the Western suburbs was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in 1999.
The government has explained its decision by saying that the Maratha leader deserves more respect, however, observers point out that one of the reasons that prompted the government to insert 'Maharaj' could be the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai and also the ongoing campaign by the Maratha community for quota in jobs and eduction.
All the seriousness aside, Twitter had a field day mocking the government for its move.
Other users took time to point out how the move is a complete waste of public resource and aimed squarely at appropriating Shivaji’s name for political gains.
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