UP government renames Mustafabad village as ‘Kabirdham’ to honour Sant Kabir’s legacy

UP government: The Uttar Pradesh government has officially renamed Mustafabad village in Lakhimpur Kheri district as Kabirdham, citing historical and cultural links to the 15th-century saint and poet Sant Kabir. The decision, notified through a government order, aims to “preserve the spiritual and cultural heritage associated with Sant Kabir,” officials said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the renaming during the Smriti Mahotsav Mela 2025, saying that the move reflects the government’s commitment to reviving India’s spiritual landmarks. “Earlier, funds were being spent on building boundary walls for graveyards. Now, our government is utilizing that money to restore and rejuvenate culturally significant sites,” Yogi remarked.

Explaining the rationale behind the renaming, the Chief Minister said the government had received several representations to change the name of Mustafabad, as the village had no Muslim population despite its Islamic name.

“It was surprising to see a village named Mustafabad where not a single person belongs to the Muslim community. After confirming this and following all legal procedures, we decided to rename it Kabirdham,” Yogi added.

Officials said the renaming aligns with the state’s broader initiative to promote historical and spiritual identities linked to Indian saints and cultural icons. The district administration has already begun updating official records, signage, and public documents to reflect the new name.

The move, however, is expected to stir fresh political debate, with critics viewing it as part of the Yogi government’s larger agenda of cultural rebranding. Nonetheless, local residents reportedly welcomed the decision, saying it restores pride in their village’s association with Sant Kabir’s teachings of harmony and equality.

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