Upendra Kushwaha demands the renaming of Patna as Patliputra in the Rajya Sabha.

Patna, February 4, 2026: Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) National President Upendra Kushwaha on Tuesday raised the demand to rename Patna, the capital of Bihar, as Patliputra, citing its glorious Maurya-era legacy.

He made this demand during the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha.

Addressing the Upper House, Upendra Kushwaha urged the central government to restore the city’s ancient name, stating that Patliputra was the capital of the Maurya Empire and remains a symbol of India’s golden past.

 Patna was once known as Patliputra, the capital of the Maurya Empire. The name Patliputra fills us with pride. Therefore, we urge the government to change the name of Patna back to Patliputra,” Kushwaha said.

Upendra Kushwaha referred to the President’s address:

Kushwaha referred to President Draupadi Murmu’s address, noting her emphasis on drawing inspiration from India’s historic milestones to guide the nation toward a developed future.

Her Excellency the President said that when the country remembers the great contribution of its ancestors, the new generation gets inspiration, which accelerates the journey towards a developed India. These lines remind us of the era when India was known as the Golden Bird,” he said.

Highlighting the significance of the Maurya period, Upendra Kushwaha said that during that era, India’s boundaries extended across present-day Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal.

“The symbols of that glorious period still exist today as remnants of our past. It is our duty to remove the dust settled on those chapters of history and bring them back to life,” he said.

Kushwaha added that Bihar enjoyed its greatest global prestige during the Maurya rule, and its historical symbols continue to be recognized worldwide.

“Citing precedents for renaming cities:

Upendra Kushwaha cited several precedents where cities and states were renamed to reflect their historic and cultural identities.

“Calcutta was renamed Kolkata, Orissa became Odisha, and Bombay was renamed Mumbai. When the names of all these places can be changed, then why can’t Patna be renamed Patliputra?” he asked.

The demand has once again brought the issue of historical identity and cultural heritage into national political discourse.

Also Read: Upendra Kushwaha appoints Alok Kumar Singh as the state president of Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

EOM.