Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that the central government has decided to rename Port Blair to “Sri Vijaya Puram.” This decision is part of an effort to shed colonial legacies and honor the nation's struggle for independence.

Port Blair, the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will now bear a name that reflects its historic significance and the victory in India's freedom struggle. Shah stated that the new name symbolizes the triumph over colonial history, contrasting with the previous name, which carried colonial connotations.

“The Andaman & Nicobar Islands hold a unique place in our freedom struggle and history. The area, once a naval base of the Chola Empire, is now a key strategic and developmental asset,” Shah explained. He further highlighted that the islands were significant in India’s independence movement, being the site where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first hoisted the national flag and where freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar were imprisoned.

The renaming has been widely supported by senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various Chief Ministers. They view it as a tribute to the region’s rich heritage and a step towards erasing colonial remnants.

Previously, Port Blair was named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair, a British naval officer known for his role in establishing British control over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the 18th century. This renaming marks a significant shift from colonial to post-colonial identity, celebrating the islands' contribution to India's independence.