In a controversial move, newly elected BJP MLA from Mustafabad, Mohan Singh Bisht, has declared his intention to rename the constituency as “Shivpuri” or “Shiv Vihar.” The announcement, made on February 9, follows Bisht’s victory over AAP’s Adeel Ahmad Khan and AIMIM’s Tahir Hussain by a margin of 85,215 votes. Bisht, a five-time MLA from Karawal Nagar, expressed his initial reluctance to contest from Mustafabad, a Muslim-majority area, and justified the proposed name change by claiming that “educated people do not want to settle here” due to its current name.

Bisht further asserted that the official Muslim population of 45% is underestimated and that a new census would be conducted to verify the demographics. He reiterated his commitment to renaming the area, stating, “I had said that if I win, I’ll change the name of Mustafabad to Shivpuri or Shiv Vihar… I’ll do it.” His statements have sparked debate, particularly in light of Mustafabad’s history, as the area was one of the worst affected during the 2020 Delhi riots, which followed the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Several homes, businesses, and places of worship were destroyed during the violence, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

The renaming proposal has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters viewing it as a step towards development, while critics see it as an attempt to erase the area’s identity. The move is expected to face legal and political hurdles, but Bisht remains firm in his decision, promising to push the process forward in the coming months.