The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) criticised the Arunachal Pradesh BJP government for naming the Damsite-Model Village road after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, alleging that the move was an attempt to promote the BJP’s political and ideological symbolism.

The IYC’s stand that the road was built with taxpayers’ money and should reflect the collective identity and aspirations of the people of Arunachal Pradesh is a view that deserves reflection by the state.

Renaming public infrastructure should be done carefully and with the right intentions. If an institution or infrastructure has to be renamed, it should be relevant.

As the IYC suggests, the government should prioritise pressing issues such as unemployment, inadequate healthcare, poor educational infrastructure and deteriorating rural roads instead of rushing to rename a road. For now, let it retain its old name.