The Maharashtra Cabinet today approved the renaming of Ahmednagar to Ahilya Nagar, honoring the 18th-century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar. This renaming follows similar initiatives by the government, reflecting a cultural reevaluation. The move was championed by BJP leader Gopichand Padalkar, echoing sentiments of the Dhangar community, to which Holkar belonged.
In another move reminiscent of vote bank politics, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Wednesday said that the name of Ahmednagar district shall be changed to "Ahilyadevi Holkar Nagar".