Former Union Minister Vijay Goel has urged Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to replace the English spelling “Delhi” with “Dilli” in the upcoming government logo and all official documents.
He believes the change will restore the city’s cultural identity and reflect its historical roots.
Goel previously raised this proposal in the Rajya Sabha in 2019. He emphasized that “Dilli” resonates with the emotional and linguistic connection people have with the capital. According to him, the name “Delhi” is a colonial remnant that fails to represent the city’s soul.
He cited examples of other cities that reverted to traditional names, such as Bombay to Mumbai and Calcutta to Kolkata. Goel argued that objections about cost and inconvenience proved unfounded in those cases.
Tracing the origin of the name, Goel explained that “Dilli” evolved from the Sanskrit word “Dhillika,” used by the Tomar kings in the 11th century. Persian historians later referred to it as “Dihli,” which the British anglicized to “Delhi.”
Goel pointed out that Indian languages like Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Haryanvi have always used “Dilli.” He believes this is the right moment to reconnect with the city’s heritage, especially as the Delhi Government prepares to unveil its new logo.
He concluded by urging the CM to adopt “Dilli” across all government platforms, signage, and communication. He called it a meaningful step toward reaffirming pride in the city’s history and language.
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