Patna, India: A seemingly innocuous name change has set off a heated debate in the city of Patna. The park in question, once known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park, has been rechristened as Coconut Park, causing uproar within political circles and sparking a war of words between the ruling party and the opposition.
The Accusations and Responses
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party in Bihar, has accused the state’s Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Department of deliberately erasing the name of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from the park’s title. According to the BJP, the department undertook a revamp of the park, renaming it ‘Coconut Park’ and inaugurating it amid controversy.
In response, Tej Pratap Yadav, the State Environment Minister and the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, vehemently denied the allegations. Yadav, who was scheduled to inaugurate the park, stated that the park had always been known as Coconut Park and that the BJP was engaging in political manoeuvring by spreading false rumours. He further emphasised that if locals colloquially referred to it as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park, it didn’t imply any official name change by the government.
The Patna Park’s Evolution
The park in question is located in the Kankarbagh colony of Patna. It was reportedly named Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park after the demise of the former Prime Minister in 2018. However, controversy arose following the park’s recent renovation, during which it reverted to its earlier name, Coconut Park. The park’s entrance plaque, which once bore the name ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee cum Coconut Park,’ now solely reads ‘Coconut Park.’
Interestingly, it was revealed that a private organisation named the Bhartiya Jan Jagriti Manch had installed a small statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the park after his passing. This organisation also placed a board with his name at the front gate of the park. However, an official from the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Department clarified that the park had always been officially recognised as Coconut Park, even though a dedicated park named after Vajpayee exists elsewhere in the city.
Political Backlash and Accusations
Unsurprisingly, the controversy quickly turned political, with the BJP condemning Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his alleged role in the name change. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai strongly criticised the move, equating the removal of Vajpayee’s name with a crime. Rai went on to predict that Kumar’s name might also face a similar fate in the future.
Samrat Choudhary, the BJP State president, launched a scathing attack on Nitish Kumar, accusing him of hypocrisy and double standards. Choudhary asserted that the name change demonstrated a lack of respect for Atal Bihari Vajpayee and exposed Kumar’s true intentions.
A Glimpse into the Past
To provide context, it’s worth noting that this controversy has its roots in the administrative reshuffling that occurred on November 16, 2022. Prior to this date, all parks were maintained by the Urban Development and Housing Department. However, the park, along with others, was transferred to the Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Department on that day. Consequently, it was given the name Coconut Park in official records.
The controversy surrounding the renaming of the park from Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park to Coconut Park highlights the intersection of politics, sentiment, and administrative decisions. While political parties trade barbs over alleged motives, the park’s history sheds light on the coexistence of informal local names and official designations. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether the controversy will lead to any tangible changes or whether it will eventually subside, leaving the park with its official moniker intact.
