Agra, Feb. 22: The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has caused controversy by renaming the Jama Masjid Metro Station in Agra to Mankameshwar Metro Station. This decision, made just months before the upcoming general elections, has been met with accusations of political opportunism. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reportedly instructed the renaming during his visit to Agra last year.
The renaming comes ahead of the inauguration of the metro service on the priority corridor, which is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between February 25 and 28. This corridor consists of 13 stations, running from the Taj Mahal East Gate to the Sikandra monument.
According to media reports, the Jama Masjid station was the third and final underground metro station on the priority corridor. During his visit in July last year, the UP CM received demands from local residents to rename the station after the nearby ancient Mankameshwar temple. The state government subsequently approved the name change, resulting in the modification of station signage.
The safety audit of the priority corridor, to be conducted by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety was scheduled for Wednesday. Once completed, the metro train service is expected to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister later this week or early next.
However, the renaming has not been without criticism. Some Muslim leaders have accused the government of electoral motivation. They expressed concerns that the move was aimed at gaining Hindu votes while alienating the Muslim minority. They pointed out that the timing of the renaming, just before the anticipated announcement of Lok Sabha elections in March, was indicative of political opportunism.
As the controversy unfolds, the decision to rename the metro station has sparked a wider debate on the intersection of religious identity and political strategies in the lead-up to the general elections.
