A large-scale protest demanding the renaming of Bhopal to ‘Bhojpal’ will take place across the city on Saturday. The demonstration is being organised by the Bhojpal Mitra Parishad, which has been actively campaigning to restore what it describes as the city’s original and historically significant name. The protest is scheduled to begin at 10 am from Bairagarh Chanchal Chauraha, and will be held at 14 major intersections and public points across the city. According to the Parishad’s Chairman Ashish Pandey and Programme Co-ordinator Hariom Jatia, this movement is aimed at reconnecting Bhopal with its cultural and historical roots.

 

They stated that the name ‘Bhojpal’ is a tribute to the legendary Raja Bhoj, under whose reign the city is believed to have originated. The demonstrations will also be staged at several prominent locations, including Lalghati Chauraha (Raja Bhoj Statue), Curfewwali Mata Mandir, Polytechnic Chauraha, Roshanpura Chauraha, Mata Mandir Chauraha, Kolar Chauraha (Kali Mandir), Manisha Market in Shahpura, Vande Mataram Chauraha (Vitthhan Market), Board Office Chauraha, Mahatma Gandhi Chauraha (BHEL), Piplani Petrol Pump, and Prabhat Chauraha. Parishad leaders emphasised that this is not a political agenda, but a cultural initiative to revive the city’s original identity.

 

They urged the government to initiate formal steps to consider renaming Bhopal as Bhojpal, citing the city’s historic connection with Raja Bhoj and the dam (pal) he constructed, from which the name ‘Bhojpal’ is believed to have derived. The demand to rename Bhopal has surfaced several times over the past two decades. Similar proposals were raised in 2011 and in subsequent years, though they were not cleared at the central level. With public sentiment now being mobilised on the ground, the Parishad hopes renewed pressure will bring the issue back into official discussion. The demonstrations are expected to be peaceful and symbolic, with cultural representations and placards highlighting the city’s ancient legacy. The organisers have appealed to citizens to participate voluntarily and respectfully.