Pune: A controversy has erupted over BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Medha Kulkarni’s demand that Pune railway station be renamed after Peshwa Bajirao I. Kulkarni claimed that she sought the renaming during a meeting of Pune and Solapur division railway officials of Central Railway with public representatives on Monday.The MP said, “Be it a railway station or an airport, a city’s history is attached to it. However, Pune railway station is the only one where there is nothing that reflects the city’s rich history. Though Pune is the cultural capital of the state, no heritage glimpses are present at its railway station which can connect it to the city’s history.”She said Bajirao I was a warrior who continued the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and expanded Swarajya. Kulkarni said several organisations have demanded this in the past and she had only reiterated it in the meeting with the railway officials.Members of the opposition and Maratha outfits have opposed her demand. NCP (SP) spokesperson Ankush Kakade said, “Pune has a rich history and the city is well-known. The railway station’s name should not be changed. If there is such a move, the Railway Ministry should rename it after reformists Jyotiba Phule or Gopal Krishna Gokhale.”Santosh Shinde of Sambhaji Brigade, another Maratha outfit, said, “We will appeal to all political parties and social organisations to oppose the demand. Maharashtra has a tradition of spreading progressive thoughts and if govt wants to change the name of the railway station, it should be renamed after Jyotiba Phule or Savitribai Phule.” Pune: A controversy has erupted over BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Medha Kulkarni’s demand that Pune railway station be renamed after Peshwa Bajirao I. Kulkarni claimed that she sought the renaming during a meeting of Pune and Solapur division railway officials of Central Railway with public representatives on Monday.The MP said, “Be it a railway station or an airport, a city’s history is attached to it. However, Pune railway station is the only one where there is nothing that reflects the city’s rich history. Though Pune is the cultural capital of the state, no heritage glimpses are present at its railway station which can connect it to the city’s history.”She said Bajirao I was a warrior who continued the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and expanded Swarajya. Kulkarni said several organisations have demanded this in the past and she had only reiterated it in the meeting with the railway officials.Members of the opposition and Maratha outfits have opposed her demand. NCP (SP) spokesperson Ankush Kakade said, “Pune has a rich history and the city is well-known. The railway station’s name should not be changed. If there is such a move, the Railway Ministry should rename it after reformists Jyotiba Phule or Gopal Krishna Gokhale.”Santosh Shinde of Sambhaji Brigade, another Maratha outfit, said, “We will appeal to all political parties and social organisations to oppose the demand. Maharashtra has a tradition of spreading progressive thoughts and if govt wants to change the name of the railway station, it should be renamed after Jyotiba Phule or Savitribai Phule.”
