Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
Prayagraj, Oct 15: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday proposed renaming a crossing in Prayagraj after freedom fighter Mahashay Masuriyadin Pasi as he unveiled his statue at Mahashay Masuriyadin Smarak Inter College in Teliyarganj.
Adityanath said he would ask the city's mayor to initiate the process of naming the crossing after the freedom fighter.
“Where the statue of Mahashay ji has been installed, I will ask the mayor to send a proposal to name that crossing after him,” the chief minister said.
He also announced that an institution in Prayagraj would be named after Pasi and that his legacy would be preserved to inspire present and future generations.
Describing Pasi as a freedom fighter whose contributions had not received adequate recognition, Adityanath said the government was committed to honouring historical figures who worked for the empowerment of disadvantaged communities.
“Every great personality who raised the voice of the deprived and Dalits and worked to empower them deserves respect,” he said.
The chief minister also assured Pasi's family that the state government would take steps to protect and preserve his legacy.
Mahashay Masuriyadin Pasi was a freedom fighter, social reformer and member of the Constituent Assembly. He represented Phulpur in the Lok Sabha alongside former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952 and 1957 before representing Chail in 1962 and 1967. He played a significant role in opposing the British-era Criminal Tribes Act, which stigmatised several communities, and worked to promote education and social empowerment among disadvantaged sections.
Pasi, who was born in 1911, participated in the Indian freedom movement and was imprisoned several times during the struggle against British rule. His work focused on social reform and improving educational opportunities for marginalised communities.
Prayagraj has a significant population of Dalit voters, including members of the Pasi community. The decision to honour Pasi comes amid renewed attention to historical figures associated with marginalised communities and their contributions to India's freedom struggle and social reform movements.
Since Adityanath became chief minister in 2017, the Uttar Pradesh government has undertaken several renaming exercises involving cities, districts, towns and public facilities.
In 2018, Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj, while Faizabad district and division were renamed Ayodhya. The same year, Mughalsarai town and its railway junction were renamed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, respectively. Faizabad railway station was renamed Ayodhya Cantt in 2021, while several railway stations in Amethi and Pratapgarh districts were renamed in 2023 and 2024 after religious figures and historical personalities.
More recent changes and proposals in 2026 include the renaming of Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur district to Parashurampuri, a proposal to rename Fazilnagar in Kushinagar as Pawagarh, and announcements to rename Bhadarsa as Bharat Nagar and Khiloni-Suchitaganj as Maa Jwala Ji Nagar Panchayat.
The state government has also announced the renaming of Bhadohi district as Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadohi.
Adityanath's latest proposal would add another name to the state's list of places and institutions being renamed in honour of historical and social figures. The proposal to name the Teliyarganj crossing after Masuriyadin Pasi will require the mayor to submit it for consideration.