Home Minister Gaur Advocates Bhopal as Second National Capital

By Harsha Bhatnagar

Minister of Home & Jail, M. P. Govt. Babulal Gaur took one and all by surprise when he met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and proposed Bhopal as the second capital of India. In a letter addressed to the PM who was on a day-long trip to attend the Kisan Kalyan Mela, the minister firmly mentions that Bhopal has all the attributes required to be the second capital. On learning the content of the letter, the PM acknowledged it with a warm smile and said, “Yeh mahatwapoorna Vishay hai” (This is an important matter).

It is not for the first time the issue of second capital has been raised. The architect of Indian Constitution Dr B.R. Ambedkar too felt the need. He chose Hyderabad over Kolkata (then Calcutta), Nagpur and even Mumbai and mentioned it in his report Thoughts on Linguistic States prepared in 1955.

When asked what urged the octogenarian minister to propose Bhopal as the second capital he replied on a thoughtful note, “I am not asking to shift the Capital. The suggestion is for Second Capital. What happened in Pathankot was because of its proximity to the LOC. Here there is no such threat – even the indo-china border is far away from here. Bhopal is strategically located and has all the amenities. What we don’t have can be built. We are talking about a smart city. We have enough land to construct and provide a second capital for the nation which can be used in case of an emergency.”

“Bhopal has a rich historical background and an even richer heritage.  The land belongs to tapasvi’s – the sages who have meditated here and Mother Narmada resides here. What else do you want? Bhopal is peaceful with a wonderful climate,” avers he.

Speaking on whether the status of second capital would be a threat to the city’s peaceful atmosphere he says, “Of course not. The terrorists and anti-social elements find it really hard to sustain here. We are well-equipped and are willing to improve as well.”

When asked would this not ire the non-Telangana leaders in Hyderabad who have been pitching for the same status, he adds, “I will always vouch for Bhopal. Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad has been the second official residence and business office of the President of India since 1956. The President stays conducts his official business every winters from there.”