Mittal further emphasized that many historical landmarks, institutions, and buildings still carry names from British rule, such as the Bombay High Court, Madras High Court, and Calcutta High Court. He argued that such names are not representative of India’s rich heritage and have a colonial imprint. The lawmaker pointed out that despite the city being renamed Prayagraj in 2018 by the Yogi Adityanath government, the Allahabad High Court, established in 1868, and Allahabad University, founded in 1887, still bear the old name.
The historical relevance of these institutions is immense. The Allahabad High Court or the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad has been a seat of justice since 1868, holding immense significance in India’s judicial history. Notably, it was in this court that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was summoned in 1975, a judgment that triggered the Emergency in India. The court has witnessed several landmark judgments and has been home to several distinguished judges, including seven Chief Justices of India (CJI), such as Ranganath Mishra, K.N. Singh, V.N. Khare, M.H. Beg, J.S. Verma, K.N. Wanchoo, and R.S. Pathak, all of whom contributed to shaping India’s judiciary.
The demand to rename institutions like the University of Allahabad or Allahabad University, the fourth oldest modern university in India, is not a new one. The university was initially established as Muir Central College in 1873, before it became a full-fledged university in 1887. Over the decades, it has produced several notable alumni who have made significant contributions to Indian politics, law, science, and literature. The University of Allahabad has an impressive list of distinguished alumni, including Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, a former President of India, Chandrashekhar, a former Prime Minister of India, and Gulzari Lal Nanda, who also served as Prime Minister of India. Additionally, political stalwarts like V.P. Singh, H.N. Bahuguna, and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi also have their roots in this prestigious institution.
The legacy of Allahabad University in shaping India’s political and intellectual landscape is undeniable. It has been a cradle for leaders like Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, a freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Acharya Narendra Dev, a prominent socialist thinker. The university has also been home to literary figures such as Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and scientists like Dr. Meghanath Saha and Prof. Daulat Singh Kothari, making it a beacon of knowledge and cultural advancement.
However, changing the names of such historical institutions is not merely a symbolic gesture. As Mittal pointed out in his address to the Rajya Sabha, renaming these institutions will require more than just a government order. Both the Allahabad High Court and the University of Allahabad were established by their respective Acts of Legislature. Hence, renaming them would necessitate amending these acts. For instance, the University of Allahabad Act, 2005, which re-established it as a central university, would need to be revised to reflect the name change to Prayagraj University.
The Allahabad High Court, which continues to operate under its original name, stands as one of the oldest high courts in India. It is not only a judicial institution but a repository of India’s legal history. The demand for renaming it stems from the broader movement to decolonize Indian institutions and remove names that do not align with the nation’s cultural identity. The high court has been a vital institution in administering justice since its establishment and has been involved in several high-profile cases over the years. It is also deeply tied to the city’s history, as Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad, has long been a center of political and judicial importance.
Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, has a deep-rooted history that dates back to the Mughal era. It was founded in 1575 AD by Emperor Akbar under the name Illahabas, which later evolved into Allahabad, meaning "The City of Allaha." The city’s strategic significance lies at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—the Sangam—which has made it a religious and cultural hub for centuries. The British took control of the city in 1801 AD when the Nawab of Oudh ceded it to the British Crown, and since then, Allahabad has played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom movement. In 1858 AD, the British East India Company officially handed over control of India to the British Crown at Minto Park, marking a crucial moment in history.
The renaming of Allahabad to Prayagraj by the Yogi Adityanath government in 2018 was part of a larger effort to reclaim the cultural heritage of the city. The renaming aimed to restore the city’s historical and religious identity, which had been overshadowed by its colonial past. However, institutions like the Allahabad High Court and Allahabad University have retained their colonial-era names, which has prompted calls for change.
Mittal’s argument reflects a growing sentiment in India to rid the country of its colonial legacy, especially in institutions of national significance. The renaming of these institutions would not only restore the city’s cultural identity but also honor the historical and religious significance of Prayagraj. Moreover, the renaming would ensure that future generations remember the city’s true heritage, untainted by colonial influence.
Mittal’s proposal has sparked a conversation about the broader implications of renaming institutions that have a long-standing historical significance. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the names of the Allahabad High Court and Allahabad University will eventually change, or if they will continue to bear the legacy of their colonial past.
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