The government’s efforts to change the name of Mount Abu, the only hill station in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, created political and social uproar. There was an uproar in the city as soon as he heard the proposed new name ‘Abu Raj Tirtha’. On Monday, 23 social organizations in Mount Abu jointly staged a protest and described it as a decision imposed without public opinion.
Discussion about changing name started in the municipal meeting in October 2024. But the real uproar began when on 25 April, the local body department sent a letter seeking the municipal opinion on the issue. The letter was based on the 15 April note of the Deputy Director, the previous conversation with the Chief Minister’s Office and the Statistics Deputy Director.
Opponents are clearly saying that this change will disappear Mount Abu’s identity. Saurabh Gangadia, secretary of the Hotel Association, warned, “If the name is changed, tourism will be wasted. Unemployment will increase and why would tourists come if meat and liquor are banned?”
Vikas Seth, president of the Nakki Lake Association, said that there will be a misconception by the name Abu Raj Tirtha that it is just a religious place. Common tourists will keep distance from them instead of being attracted towards them. A member of the city sales committee expressed concern that “Once the site is declared a pilgrimage site, social and religious criteria would be implemented, which the municipality will not be able to handle.” Local people claim that an MLA from Mount Abu and a minister are actively engaged behind changing both the name and the atmosphere. It is alleged that these people are planning to impose a complete ban on the sale of liquor and meat in the area.
It is also reported that the Chief Minister may come to Mount Abu in the second or third week of May and then a final decision can be taken in this regard. Historically, the modern development of Mount Abu began in 1830, when the East India Company leased it from the state of Sirohi and in 1845 it was made the summer headquarters of the Rajputana Agency. Today this hill station is a favorite place for millions of tourists, but with the change of name, questions are being raised about its future.
