A trust chaired by Press Council of India chairperson Justice Markandey Katju has severely criticised a proposed move by Municipal Corporation of Delhi to rename Chandni Chowk after Sachin Tendulkar.
The Dr K.N. Katju Memorial Trust, which is chaired by Markandey Katju, has shot off a letter to Delhi Mayor Rajni Abbi opposing any such proposal.
The letter stated that any move to rename Chandni Chowk was an insult to the cultural heritage of the country.
“In today’s newspapers we have read news that you plan to change the name of Chandni Chowk to Sachin Tendulkar Chowk! This is a most objectionable and ridiculous move of yours,” the letter says.
“Chandni Chowk was built by Shahjehan, the Emperor, and by changing the name you are going to do a great disservice to the history of this great old city,” the letter added.
The MCD had on Tuesday claimed that the civic agency had received several representations from hundreds of people to honour Tendulkar by renaming Chandni Chowk after him.
“Chandni Chowk is a part of the cultural heritage of India. By changing its name you will be insulting our great old cultural heritage,” the letter claimed.
“Hope you will take seriously our letter of dissent and protest and not do the exercise of changing name of Chandni Chowk to Sachin Tendulkar Chowk,” the Trust’s letter written by its secretary general Harish Bhalla said.
The advisory council of Dr K.N. Katju Memorial Trust includes Fali S. Nariman, Ram Jethmalani, Justice B.S. Chauhan, Justice A.K. Patnaik, Justice S.K. Kaul, Justice G.S. Sistani and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi besides Team Anna member Shanti Bhushan.