The proposal will come up for discussion in December's general body meetings of the BMC. (File photo: Reuters)

The name-changing spree of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh has rubbed off to the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. A Sena corporator in the Mumbai civic body has suggested that Malabar Hill, a posh area in the city, be renamed as Ramnagari.

Dilip Lande, the coporator from Kurla, cites mythological significance behind this and says he has the proof that Lord Ram, along with his brother Laxman, lived there when he travelled to Ravan's Lanka during Satyug.

Lande also reasons that since Malabar Hill is an English name, it needs to be changed.

"I have proof that Lord Ram and Laxman had stayed in the area for some time. There is book with the BrihannMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and it is mentioned in that too. They stayed there while they travelled to Lanka. I will submit the book copy as proof and evidence," Lande told India Today.

He added, "Malabar Hill is a name given by the British. If the state government and the Central government can change so many British names, why not this name?"

Malabar Hill happens to be home to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several top ministers of the state.

Lande went on: "Most of the Ram bhakts stay in that area."

True to what Lande says, according to Indian mythology, Ram fasted for Shiva while travelling to Lanka. When he felt thirsty, Laxman shot an arrow into the ground to dig a freshwater spring.

The religious Banganga tank on the Malabar Hill is believed to be the spring that Lord Ram drank from.

When asked if it was done after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray visited Ayodhya, Lande said it was for his love for Lord Ram that he was doing that.

The demand has come days after Thackeray made a visit to Ayodhya, pushing the BJP to construct a Ram temple at the disputed site in the city.

The Ramnagri proposal will come up for discussion in December's general body meetings of the BMC.

Lande had made the same demand in 2013, when he was with the Maharashtra Navnirmaan Sena (MNS).

For the uninitiated, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has renamed Allahabad to Prayagraj, Faizabad to Ayodhya and Mughal Sarai junction to Pandit Deen Dayal junction.