Govt. won't rename Shimla as Shyamala: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Monday asserted that the state government is not considering the proposal to rename Shimla as Shyamala.

He, however, confirmed that a suggestion in the connection was received by the Himachal government.

Thakur told ANI, "Let me make it clear that the government is not considering a proposal to rename Shimla as Shymala. We had received a suggestion to rename Shimla and it is our duty to hear all suggestions."

The Politics on the issue of changing the name of capital town Shimla to Shayamala had warmed up in the state after the health minister of state Vipin Singh Parmar and the chief Minister had given statements in this regard and later the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) had submitted a proposal to the state government through District Administration, Shimla.

Historian Raja Basin commenting on the issue had said, "Shimla's identity is as Simla or Shimla and there is not even a single person mispronouncing it and misunderstanding it. There is no logic behind changing the name".

Former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh also spoke against the idea of changing the name of the capital city.

"VHP had brought this issue to the government during his time also but was rejected as it has no significance," he said.