While the Chennai Central railway station has been renamed after former Chief Minister and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran, Kanniyakumari District Rail Users’ Association Secretary Edward Jeni opposes the move and urges to retain the historical name.
Chennai:
What is in the name? Why are you opposing the name change?
The name change would create a lot of confusion among the passengers, especially from other States and the station would lose its identity. If this change is allowed, each and every small railway station or big junction would be renamed based on political or religious caste leaders’ names. It would affect the harmony of the State.
What do you expect from the government?
To avoid changing of names in the future. It is better to carry out the legacy of the same name and preserve communal and religious harmony. The government should retain the original name as ‘Chennai Central’. The name change will hurt the emotions of millions of people.
We hear that you have approached ECI. Can you speak about it?
Yes. Since the Parliament elections are announced, the government should refrain from announcing any new schemes or changes. But now the name is changed. This is done mainly to attract voters. I have sent a complaint to the Election Commission of India and I am expecting its intervention.