Home Minister Amit Shah said the move to rename Port Blair is "to free the nation from colonial imprints". The argument, however, does not have many takers.
Published Sep 14, 2024 | 9:19 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 14, 2024 | 10:49 PM
Port Blair
The BJP-led Union Government has once again found itself embroiled in a controversy over an arbitrary change of name.
This time, the target is Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI).
Announcing that Port Blair would now be known as Sri Vijaya Puram on Friday, 13 September, Home Minister Amit Shah said the move was “to free the nation from colonial imprints”. However, not all were happy with the change of name. Critics argued that it was unnecessary and could create confusion, particularly in the tourism sector.
Chandrachoodan, a long-time resident of Port Blair, believed that the name change was part of a larger trend.
ANI
“In 2019 and 2023, several islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were renamed. Since then, there have been rumours that Port Blair would also get a new name. As someone living here, I’m uncertain what this change will mean for us,” he told South First.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed three prominent islands in the ANI in 2019 to honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army. Ross Island became Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island was renamed Shaheed Dweep, and Havelock Island became Swaraj Dweep.
In 2023, during a special event in Port Blair, the prime minister named 21 of the region’s largest unnamed islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees.
“As the announcement (renaming Port Blair) is still fresh, discussions haven’t fully taken off. However, local groups like the Local Born Association have expressed opposition to the change, and there’s a chance someone may even challenge it legally,” Chandrachoodan added.
He further pointed out that the current name, Port Blair, has been well-established and widely recognised both domestically and internationally.
“As the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it has long been associated with the region’s history, tourism, and strategic significance. For many, the name reflects the legacy of the islands and their connection to India’s colonial past. Deciding to change it has become a subject of debate among locals and historians alike,” he said.
Port Blair holds a deep connection to India’s freedom struggle. The infamous Cellular Jail, built by the British in 1906, stands as a solemn reminder of the brutal treatment inflicted upon freedom fighters, who were kept in solitary confinement in its isolated cells.
Before the construction of the seven-pronged structure, Viper Island served as a site for punishing convicts and freedom fighters, with gallows where prisoners were hanged. Today, these historical sites, along with Ross Island, where British administrators once resided, narrate tales of courage and sacrifice, with the ruins encapsulating the struggles of those who fought for India’s independence.
Port Blair is named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair of the Bombay Marine.
Blair’s first surveying voyage to the Andamans took place from December 1788 until April 1789. The expedition proceeded southwards along the west coast of the main islands, rounded Rutland Island, and then, sailing north along the eastern coast, discovered the superb natural harbour that Blair called Port Cornwallis (after Commodore William Cornwallis, Commander-in-Chief of the British-Indian navy) but which later came to be called after him, Port Blair.
It was Blair who established a penal settlement in the Andamans in the late 18th century. Initially, the islands were chosen for their strategic location and as a place to exile convicts. Over time, they became a hub of colonial power, with British administrators setting up their headquarters on Ross Island and Chatham Island becoming a significant sawmill for timber.
The remnants of these colonial structures and the significance of the Cellular Jail have cemented Port Blair as a key landmark in India’s fight for freedom.
According to Anil Kumar of the Port Blair Malayalee Association, the renaming of Port Blair has sparked concern among certain sections of the community, particularly about how it might affect tourism and local perceptions.
He expressed reservations about the potential confusion the name change might cause for visitors unfamiliar with the region.
“Tourists may assume that Sri Vijaya Puram is located somewhere in Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka, rather than in the ANI,” Kumar told South First.
He pointed out that the new name has historical and cultural significance but could lead to misconceptions, especially among first-time visitors.
Kumar felt that though renaming Port Blair was part of a broader trend of changing place names across the country, often in the name of reclaiming historical or cultural identities, establishing the new name in the public consciousness might take time, just as with previous changes.
“There is always a period of adjustment, but it is important to ensure that this change does not negatively impact tourism, which is a crucial sector for the local economy,” he added.
Tourist map
He further speculated that the Union Government’s decision to rename Port Blair might have strategic significance beyond mere patriotism.
“The Union Government may be thinking beyond patriotism here. There could be deeper political or administrative intentions behind the name change,” he opined but refrained from elaborating on specific theories.
He said that the renaming has triggered debates across various communities in ANI, with some expressing pride in the historical connotations of the new name, while others raised concerns over its broader implications.
As per the ANI administration website, “ANI with their emerald seas, lush green forests, majestic mountains, unspoiled coral reefs, and serene white sandy beaches, has earned worldwide acclaim as one of the most breathtaking tourist destinations. This natural paradise is also home to the vibrant capital town of Port Blair, where trade, commerce, administration, and tourism thrive. Beyond its stunning landscapes, Port Blair serves as the gateway to these enchanting islands and holds a unique place in India’s freedom struggle, adding historical depth to its scenic charm.”
The Centre’s decision to rename Port Blair has sparked a heated political debate, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties. There were comments on social media that the decision to rename was a blunder, and like Port Blair, which the government said was alien, Sri Vijaya Puram “is also a colonial/alien name”.
Another post pointed out that the people of ANI continued to face displacement, and dispossession resulting in a loss of their culture, land, and livelihood. “They are reduced to serving aspirations of others’ ideas of development!” read an excerpt from the post.
Not surprisingly, the BJP’s ANI unit welcomed the decision as Port Blair remained a slave during British rule. The Congress alleged that the local people were not taken into confidence before changing the name.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
