Daijiworld Media Network – Dehradun

Dehradun, Apr 25: A proposal to rename Uttarakhand’s cantonment town Lansdowne as Jaswant Garh has sparked controversy, with BJP MLA Dilip Rawat urging the Centre to withdraw the move, warning it could affect tourism and the local economy.

Rawat, the MLA from Lansdowne, has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calling the proposed renaming “extremely regrettable” and arguing that the hill town has built a strong identity on the global tourism map.

He said any change in name could weaken its recognition and adversely impact livelihoods in Pauri Garhwal district.

According to Rawat, residents are also opposed to altering the town’s name.

Questioning the rationale behind replacing colonial-era names, the legislator said improving infrastructure and facilities should be prioritised over changing nomenclature.

He also remarked that if the aim was to erase colonial legacy, other such names across the country should also be reconsidered.

The controversy follows an April 10 public notice issued by the Lansdowne Cantonment Board seeking objections and suggestions on a proposal to rename the town after 1962 war hero Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat.

Board officials said the proposal was initiated following central directives and feedback was being collected from stakeholders.

Rawat also highlighted Lansdowne’s historic ties with the Indian Army, noting that generations of soldiers have trained at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre.

He warned of public protests if the renaming proceeds against local sentiment.

The debate comes amid broader civic concerns in the cantonment, where residents have also been pressing for conversion of civil areas into a municipal body. Lansdowne has been functioning under an ad hoc committee since 2020 without an elected board.