The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has strongly condemns the BJP Government in Arunachal Pradesh for naming the newly constructed CC pavement road from Damsite to Model Village, Naharlagun after Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
While every historical figure deserves respect for their contribution to the nation, public infrastructure funded by taxpayers should never become a medium for advancing partisan political or ideological symbolism, IYC maintained.
In a statement, IYC national general secretary Tarh Johny said the road was built with taxpayers’ money and should reflect the collective identity, history and aspirations of the people of the state, rather than commemorate personalities associated with a particular political ideology.
He alleged that the state government has overlooked the contributions of several eminent personalities from Arunachal while choosing to honour a leader from outside the state.
Johny said Arunachal has produced several distinguished freedom fighters, nation builders, educationists and social reformers whose contributions deserve public recognition.
He named leaders such as Moje Riba, Matmur Jamoh, Dr Bengia Tolum, Talom Rukbo, Gegong Apang, Dorjee Khandu and Kalikho Pul as personalities who played significant roles in shaping the state’s history and development.
The Youth Congress leader also claimed that at a time when the state faces issues such as unemployment, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor educational infrastructure and deteriorating rural roads, the government should focus on addressing these challenges, instead of engaging in what he termed symbolic politics.
He urged the state government to formulate a transparent and consultative policy for naming public infrastructure, with the involvement of historians, indigenous organisations, civil society groups, public representatives and local communities.
