Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin slammed the move, saying that it was not the name that needed to be changed but the mindset.
Published Dec 02, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 02, 2025 | 9:00 AM
The order renaming Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan.
Synopsis: The Tamil Nadu Governor’s Office officially announced on Monday, 1 December, that Raj Bhavan in Tamil Nadu will henceforth be called ‘Lok Bhavan’, following a directive by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin slammed the move, saying that it was not the name that needed to be changed but the mindset.
The Tamil Nadu Governor’s Office officially announced on Monday, 1 December, that Raj Bhavan in Tamil Nadu will henceforth be called ‘Lok Bhavan’. Not only Tamil Nadu, but also the Governors of states, including West Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala, have announced that their official residences, Raj Bhavans, will be renamed as Lok Bhavans.
Steps are underway to implement this change on nameboards, official letterheads and related materials of the Governors’ offices.
This change has come into effect following an official communication from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Meanwhile, claims are going viral on social media that Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi was the first to propose this name change.
However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin slammed the move, saying that it was not the name that needed to be changed but the mindset.
In its directive letter issued on 25 November, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated: “I am directed to say that in the Conference of Governors, 2024, it was suggested to rename ‘Raj Bhavans’ as ‘Lok Bhavans’ as the word ‘Raj Bhavans’ smacks of colonialism. Accordingly, it is requested that the offices of Governors and offices of Lt. Governors may be named as ‘Lok Bhavan’ and ‘Lok Niwas’ respectively for all official purposes.”
Following this, Governors of various states have renamed their Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans, meaning “People’s House.” It is being said that during the 2024 Governors’ Conference, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi proposed this renaming.
On Monday, the Tamil Nadu Governor’s office announced that the name change will come into effect immediately.
In an official press release, the Governor’s office stated: “In a significant step towards moving away from colonial nomenclature and reinforcing the ethos of a people-centric democracy, ‘Raj Bhavan, Tamil Nadu’ is hereby renamed as ‘Lok Bhavan, Tamil Nadu’, with immediate effect.”
It further said, “This renaming reflects the evolution of Raj Bhavan into Lok Bhavan, carrying forward its longstanding commitment to people-centric governance and active public participation in its programs and initiatives. It represents a meaningful stride in India’s ongoing journey to uphold the nation’s cultural heritage, civilizational values, and the spirit of the Constitution, ensuring that the institution continues to resonate with the aspirations of the sisters and brothers of Tamil Nadu.”
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs justified the proposal by stating that the term “Raj Bhavan” reflects a colonial legacy. However, critics point out an apparent contradiction — that the very office of the Governor is itself a nominated post created during British rule in India.
Reacting to the news of the name change, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin remarked pointedly that “what is needed is not a change in name, but a change in thinking”.
“Legislative Assembly = People’s Assembly! Is renaming it ‘People’s House’ by those who do not respect the Assembly merely an eyewash? Is this meant to throw sand in the eyes of democratic principles?” he questioned in a post on X.
Stating that respecting elected governments and the sovereign Legislative Assembly, which carries out the will of the people, is what is truly required at this moment, Stalin said that without a change in thought and action, this renaming exercise too is unnecessary, and he strongly criticised the move.
பெயர் மாற்றத்தைவிடச் சிந்தனை மாற்றமே தேவை!
சட்டமன்றம் = மக்கள் மன்றம்! சட்டமன்றத்தை மதிக்காதவர்கள், “மக்கள் மாளிகை” எனப் பெயர் மாற்றுவது கண் துடைப்பா? மக்களாட்சித் தத்துவத்தின் கண்களில் மண்ணைத் தூவுவதற்கா?
மக்களால் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்ட அரசுகளையும், மக்களின் விருப்பத்தை நிறைவேற்ற… https://t.co/yDnGBLHTPq
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) November 30, 2025
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
