The decision by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to name a newly constructed road connecting Damsite and Model Village after Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee has left many citizens bewildered. The road, traditionally known as Kangkra Putu, was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 6 July as Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Road, sparking widespread surprise and debate on social media. The Indian Youth Congress was among the first to oppose the decision, arguing that Dr Mookerjee made no direct contribution to Arunachal Pradesh, and therefore naming a road after him was inappropriate.
Local residents have also joined the chorus, saying that the road’s original name should have been retained. Many have expressed their lack of knowledge about Dr Mookerjee’s contributions to the state, questioning the need to name the road after him. Critics have pointed out that there are many Arunachali personalities who have made significant contributions to the state’s development, and that the road should have been named after one of them instead.
The decision has been defended by BJP supporters, who have praised the move as a tribute to Dr Mookerjee’s contributions to India’s freedom movement and post-independence politics. Itanagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Likha Nari Tadar, who represents the area where the road is located, has defended the decision, citing Dr Mookerjee’s well-known contributions to the nation. The 4-km road, constructed in two phases by the Public Works Department and the Itanagar Municipal Corporation, connects Damsite with Model Village.
The naming of the road has come under intense scrutiny on social media, with some welcoming the decision as a tribute to Dr Mookerjee’s legacy, while others have questioned the need to name a road after a leader from mainland India.
