The Calcutta High Court has chosen not to interfere with the central government’s decision to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram. The renaming, which took place earlier this month, is part of the Centre’s broader initiative to honor historical and cultural legacies.
Kolkata: The Port Blair circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court declined to interfere with the government’s decision to rename the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, stating that such decisions fall under the prerogative of the executive.
On September 13, the central government officially changed the name of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.
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A division bench comprising Justices Ravi Krishan Kapur and Prasenjit Biswas, hearing a petition challenging the renaming, refused to intervene, citing the executive’s authority in such matters and referencing the renaming of Bombay to Mumbai as an example.
Advocate Prohit Mohan Lall, who had filed the petition, later withdrew it.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah commented,
“While the previous name carried a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram represents the victory of India’s freedom struggle and the unique role of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in it.”
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The court’s decision underlines the separation of powers and reinforces the government’s discretion in choosing names that reflect the nation’s heritage and history.
The court’s decision highlights the principle that decisions regarding the naming or renaming of places fall under the government’s discretion and are typically not subject to judicial interference unless a significant legal issue arises. The ruling reinforces the executive’s power to make symbolic changes that reflect the nation’s values and historical context.
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