Maharashtra Renames Islampur to Ishwarpur: What It Means and Why It Matters 18 july 2025

Islampur to Iswarapur

Yesterday, July 18, 2025, it has been reported that the name of the city Islampur has been changed to Iswarapur in the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Manila Legislative Assembly.

ishlampur name chnged to ishwarpoorimage source ai image

What happened ?

The monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly is underway in the state of Maharashtra under the chairmanship of Devendra Patnavil. In this session, on the last day of the session yesterday, July 18, 2025, Food and Civil Affairs Minister Chakan Bhujpal announced that Islampur district in Sangli district of Maharashtra has been renamed as Iswarapur and this law will be sent to the Central government for approval.

The history of this name change from Islampur to Ishwarpur has a historical background.

The demand was started after Balasaheb Thackeray called Islampur Ishwarpur during a Shiv Sena protest at Ellamma Chowk in 1986.

Subsequently, many Hindu organizations, including the Shiv Pradishthan led by Sambhaji, pressed this demand.

Former legislator Satyabhavakot Shiv Sena and NCP leaders protested in this regard. Anand Pawar filed a formal petition for this name change.

Celebration and criticism over the name change

As soon as Minister Chavan Bhujpal announced that Islampur district in Maharashtra’s Sangli district had been renamed as Ishwarpur, supporters of the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and its allies burst crackers and distributed sweets.

Opposition parties’ stance

The MLA of the opposition Congress party aslam sheik said that such a name change law is pointless and instead, the focus should be on the basic facilities and welfare schemes needed by the people.

SP MLA Rabis Shaikh said that this is the wrong priority of the government.

He also said that changing the name of the city alone cannot bring about a change in the livelihood of the people living in that state.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that this is seen as a part of cultural renovation.

He said that this act is an attempt to restore the identities that were destroyed in the past.

What are the next steps ?

This name change bill will be sent for the approval of the Central Government. Once the Central Government approves it, the name change will be made in the electoral roll and government registers, maps and postal services.