Rajasthan government plan to rename Mt Abu, ban booze and non-veg, sparks protests

JAIPUR: Rajasthan govt is planning to change the name of its only hill station, Mt Abu. Protesting the move Monday, a total of 23 organisations in Mt Abu expressed strong opposition to the proposed renaming of the hill station to ‘Abu Raj Tirth', which was first discussed during a municipal meeting in Oct 2024.The controversy erupted following a letter from the Department of Local Self Governance to the Mount Abu municipal body, dated April 25, which sought input on the proposed name change. Official documents accessed by TOI showed that the department referenced earlier communications from the Chief Minister's Office, indicating that discussions about the renaming began as far back as Oct 2024. The department letter specifically cites a UO note from the deputy director (statistics) dated April 15, calling for the submission of factual comments on the proposal.Organisations protesting the renaming argued that the proposal lacks public consent and could shift Mount Abu's identity from a vibrant tourist destination to a religious pilgrimage site. The protesters claimed that a local MLA, supported by a minister, was pushing for a complete ban on the open consumption of meat and alcohol in Mount Abu, citing the area's ancient religious significance. Local stakeholders have expressed alarm that implementing such restrictions could further diminish the hill station's attractiveness to visitors.A stakeholder said, "An MLA in the state assembly wishes to change the name without public consent. The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit Abu in the second or third week of May, and a decision might be taken then."Saurabh Gangadia, secretary of Mount Abu Hotel Association, said, "If the govt changes the name of the hill station, tourism will collapse. It will lead to mass unemployment. After liquor and non-veg are prohibited, who will visit the hill station?"Vikas Seth, president of the Nakki Lake Association, highlighted the misleading implications of branding Mount Abu as a pilgrimage centre, suggesting it would deter tourists who currently flock to the area. "The proposed change to ‘Abu Raj Tirth' sends a misleading message, suggesting a shift from a tourist destination to a religious pilgrimage centre," Seth said.A town vending committee member added that declaring Mount Abu a pilgrimage site would impose numerous social and religious restrictions, which the current infrastructure is ill-equipped to support. "Mount Abu is the most visited tourist destination across seven states in the region. Tourists travel great distances to visit it but may no longer wish to do so after a name change," he warned.Mount Abu's historical significance dates back to 1830, when the East India Company's Rajputana Agency leased the area from the Sirohi princely state. In 1845, it was officially designated as the summer headquarters of the Agency due to its pleasant climate, which led to the development of the hill station.