Why the name of an Andaman island a matter of shame for Indian patriots? - BJP MP has an answer

Pic courtsey: www.andamans.gov.in

New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party MP on Wednesday urged in the Rajya Sabha to change the name of Havelock island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Raising the matter during the Zero Hour, BJP member LA Ganesan said that naming a place after a person who had fought Indian patriots in 1857 was a matter of shame.

Havelock had fought against Indians during 1857 revolt led by leaders like Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, noted Ganesan.

He further mentioned that there was a statue of Havelock in the Trafalgar Square in London for his role in crushing the forces of Indian patriots.

Ganesan questioned that over 60 years after Independence, there is still an island named after such a person.

"Can there be a greater insult than this to our patriots," Ganesan asked.

He also said that the Andaman Islands is a place where people like Veer Savarkar had been jailed.

After Ganesan raised questions about an island being named after an East India Company's General, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said it was a good suggestion which the government should examine.

(With PTI inputs)