In the last couple of months, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken it upon himself to rename cities, towns, railway stations, and chowks in his state. Allahabad became Prayagraj, Mughal Sarai junction is now Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg Junction and Faizabad is changed to Ayodhya!

He and his party's ministers have told us that this new #NaamVaapsi of cities trend has all to do with returning to our origins. But, here's the deal – the Hindu-isation of the names of our public spaces has more to do with the BJP's fortune in the upcoming elections, and very less to do with reclaiming any history.

Indeed, cities have been renamed in the past too. Decolonisation, cultural pride, and linguistic nationalism have all led to the names of cities being changed. But the recent name changes sets a very dangerous precedent and here’s why.