Bhopal, March 12 (IANS) Hundreds of people from all age groups held a 'Peace March' here Saturday to voice their opposition to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's proposal to change the name of the city to 'Bhojpal'.

"Bhopal is not just a name of a city. It is also the identity of the lakhs of people residing here who feel proud to be called Bhopalis," said Nasar, one of the participants.

The protestors also took part in a signature campaign to oppose renaming of the city.

The march began from Iqbal Ground and was scheduled to go to various parts of the city. However, the police stopped the marchers at Gauhar Mahal and did not allow them to proceed.

On Feb 28, while celebrating 1,000 years of the coronation of medieval king Raja Bhoj, Shivraj Singh Chouhan hoped that this city would be renamed Bhojpal and said he would recommend it to the central government.

The state government also renamed Upper Lake here as Bhojtaal and VIP Road as Raja Bhoj Road.