2 weeks ago
Nitesh Rane To Visit Mumbra For Kanwar Yatra Amid Rename Push
Some people in India want to change the name of a town called Mumbra.
They want to call it Mumbra Devi, which means 'Goddess Mumbra.'
A politician named Nitesh Rane says the new name is a good idea.
He believes places should have Hindu names.
He talked about other towns whose names were already changed.
Rane is going to join a special religious walk called the Kanwar Yatra in Mumbra.
But another politician, Abu Azmi, does not agree.
He says the town needs better roads, schools, and clean water more than a new name.
Many families moved to Mumbra because homes there do not cost too much.
So the leaders are arguing about whether to change the name or fix other problems first.
BJP minister Nitesh Rane is scheduled to visit Mumbra on Sunday to participate in the Kanwar Yatra, which is set to begin shortly.
The visit comes amid controversy over Rane's remarks suggesting the Thane suburb Mumbra should be renamed Mumbra Devi.
At a Tiranga Yatra this week, Rane said, 'Mumbra will soon become Mumba Devi,' framing the move as 're-Hinduisation' like Islampur becoming Ishwarpur.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi opposed the proposal, urging authorities to prioritise infrastructure, education and civic amenities in Thane.
Maharashtra has previously renamed Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv amid similar discussions.
- Who
- Nitesh Rane, Maharashtra minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi
- What
- Controversy over renaming Mumbra to Mumbra Devi, with Rane set to join the Kanwar Yatra in Mumbra
- Where
- Mumbra, a suburb in Thane district, Maharashtra, India
- When
- Rane's visit is scheduled for Sunday, August 16, 2026; his renaming remarks came earlier that week
- Why
- Rane advocates renaming as part of what he calls 're-Hinduisation', while critics argue the area needs infrastructure and civic improvements
Pro-renaming (Nitesh Rane, BJP)
Development-first (Abu Azmi, Samajwadi Party)
Renaming Mumbra as Mumbra Devi
Pro-renaming (Nitesh Rane, BJP)
Rane says renaming is part of 're-Hinduisation' and that Mumbra will soon become Mumba Devi, citing how Islampur became Ishwarpur.
Development-first (Abu Azmi, Samajwadi Party)
Azmi opposes the name change and says authorities should focus on Mumbra's development needs instead of renaming the suburb.
Priorities for Mumbra's residents
Pro-renaming (Nitesh Rane, BJP)
Rane said, 'Until we put the saffron flag on every house in Mumbra, we will sit quiet,' insisting on the renaming drive.
Development-first (Abu Azmi, Samajwadi Party)
Azmi notes Mumbra houses a large population drawn by affordable housing and needs better schools, colleges and basic civic amenities.
Key facts
- Minister
- Nitesh Rane (Bharatiya Janata Party)
- Proposed rename
- Mumbra to Mumbra Devi
- Location
- Mumbra, Thane district, Maharashtra
- Planned visit
- Kanwar Yatra on Sunday, August 16, 2026
- Rane's quote
- "Mumbra will soon become Mumba Devi"
- Opponent
- Abu Azmi (Samajwadi Party)
- Earlier renaming
- Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar; Osmanabad to Dharashiv
Quotes
Nitesh Rane
Bharatiya Janata Party minister and former Maharashtra minister
“First, we were all Hindus. We, the people, are doing the work of re-Hinduisation. How did Islampur become Ishwarpur? And Mumbra will soon become Mumba Devi.”
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