New Delhi:
Havelock Island in the Andamans -- with its scenic white sand beaches, coral reefs and crystal blue sea waters -- could get a new name. A BJP member made this demand in the Rajya Sabha today. Speaking during the Zero Hour, LA Ganesan said naming a place after a person who had fought Indian patriots in 1857 was a matter of shame.
Havelock Island is named after British general, Sir Henry Havelock, who served in India during the British administration.
The BJP lawmaker said that naming a place after a person who had fought Indian patriots in 1857 was a matter of shame. He said General Havelock had fought against Indians during the revolt of 1857, led by leaders like Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi.
Havelock Island is the largest island in the Andamans and is a popular tourist destination.
Mr Ganesan said there was a statue of him in the Trafalgar Square in London for his role in crushing the forces of Indian patriots. He questioned that over six decades after Independence, there is still an island named after such a person.
"Can there be a greater insult than this to our patriots," he asked. He also said that Andaman islands is a place where people like Veer Savarkar had been jailed.
After Mr Ganesan raised questions about an island being named after an East India Company's General, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said it was a good suggestion which the government should examine.
(With PTI inputs)