Rename India Gate to Bharat Mata Gate: BJP Leader Writes to PM Modi, Calls It Tribute

Jamal Siddiqui, the National President of BJP’s Minority Morcha, has demanded renaming India Gate to Bharat Mata Dwar. Jamal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi, stating that renaming the monument would be a true tribute to the 10,000 soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

Citing Past Name Changes as Precedent

Jamal remarked, “You renamed Aurangzeb Road, named after a cruel Mughal, to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Road. The statue of George V at India Gate was replaced with a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Rajpath was renamed as Kartavya Path. Similarly, India Gate should be renamed Bharat Mata Dwar.”

Built in Memory of Indian Soldiers in World Wars

India Gate, located in Delhi, is a war memorial built in honor of Indian soldiers who died during World War I and the Afghan Wars. Between 1914 and 1921, more than 70,000 Indian soldiers were martyred during World War I and the Third Afghan War. The names of 13,516 soldiers, many of whom served under British India, are inscribed on the India Gate.

Construction and Design of India Gate

The construction of India Gate began in 1921 and was completed in 1931. It was designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The structure stands 42 meters tall and is built using red and pale yellow sandstone.

Addition of Amar Jawan Jyoti in 1971

After the 1971 India-Pakistan War, the Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the Immortal Soldier) was added to India Gate. This eternal flame burns in memory of unknown soldiers. The top of the monument bears the inscription “INDIA,” and below it, there is a plaque honoring the sacrifices of the martyrs.

Symbol of Sacrifice and National Pride

India Gate symbolizes the sacrifices made during India’s freedom struggle and later wars. In 2019, a new national war memorial was constructed near India Gate to honor the armed forces’ martyrs.