In an effort to make the Rashtrapati Bhavan's ambience reflective of Indian cultural values, two of its iconic halls, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’, were renamed ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’, respectively.
“Continuous efforts are being made to make it more accessible to people. There has been a consistent endeavour to make the ambience of the Rashtrapati Bhavan reflective of the Indian cultural values and ethos,” a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat said on Thursday.
The statement said Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office and residence of the President of India, is a symbol of the nation and an invaluable heritage of the people.
“Accordingly, President Droupadi Murmu is pleased to rename two of the important halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan – namely, ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ – as ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’ respectively,” said the statement.
Important ceremonies and celebrations, such as the presentation of National Awards, are held at the ‘Durbar Hall’. The term 'Durbar' refers to courts and assemblies of Indian rulers and the British.
“It lost relevance after India became a Republic, that is, ‘Ganatantra’. The concept of ‘Ganatantra’ is deeply rooted in Indian society since ancient times, making ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ an apt name for the venue,” the statement said.
The Ashok Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan was originally a ballroom.
“The word ‘Ashok’ connotes someone who is “free from all sufferings” or is “bereft of any sorrow”, the statement said.
“Renaming ‘Ashok Hall’ as ‘Ashok Mandap’ brings uniformity in language and removes the traces of anglicisation while upholding the key values associated with the word 'Ashok',” it added.
In a sharp reaction to the renaming of the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s two iconic halls, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said: “There is no concept of ‘Durbar’ but that of ‘Shehenshah’.”
