The Union Home Ministry has approved the Uttar Pradesh government’s proposal to rename Jalalabad town in Shahjahanpur district as Parashurampuri, Union Minister Jitin Prasada announced on Wednesday.
Prasada, who hails from Shahjahanpur, thanked Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for backing the move. Calling it a “proud moment,” he said the decision honours the region’s cultural and religious heritage.
Officials confirmed that the approval has been sent to the state’s Chief Secretary, and a gazette notification is expected soon to formalise the name change.
Local BJP leaders celebrated the development, saying residents had long demanded the removal of what they described as a symbol of “ghulami” (slavery). Jalalabad MLA Hariprakash Verma said, “People here wanted the town to be named after Lord Parashuram. The Centre has respected their sentiments, with Jitin Prasada playing a key role.”
Anil Gupta, BJP’s district general secretary, termed the change a “historic achievement,” while Brahmachari Satyadev, mahant of the Parashuram Janmabhoomi temple, welcomed it as a reflection of Sanatan Dharma’s ideology. “The atmosphere is festive. People are overjoyed,” he said.
The town is regarded in Hindu mythology as the birthplace of Lord Parashuram.
