Opposition, BJP Clash Over Proposal to Rename Mumbai’s KEM Hospital

Mumbai: The renaming issue of the historic King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Mumbai sparked a controversy in the Maharashtra Vidhan Parishad on Tuesday with the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar strongly opposing the proposal. King Edward was not a terrorist that warranted immediate renaming, he said. However, BJP Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha defended the move claiming British ruler King Edward, after whom the medical facility was named, was “King Kasab who looted India and killed lakhs of Indians.”

Lodha, who is the guardian minister of Mumbai Sururban district, has proposed renaming the 100-year-old KEM Hospital to ‘Kaushalyashreshtha Eklavya Memorial Hospital.’

Mr. Narvekar strongly opposed the move, asking why the government was targeting the historical name and sought the intervention of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “If you are changing the name of KEM Hospital, will you also change the names of other historical landmarks?” he asked.

However, Mr. Lodha, who is also the state skill development minister, said that those who support King Edward should be condemned as the period of British rule was an era of exploitation for India. “King Edward is not a source of pride for India; rather, he is a symbol of the era of subjugation. King Edward enslaved India and looted the country’s wealth to take it to England. The claim that King Edward provided funds is misleading,” he said.

“King Edward was like Kasab, responsible for the deaths of lakhs of Indians. We condemn those who support retaining his name. We have proposed three alternative names for the renaming of KEM, and the government will take an appropriate decision regarding this,” Mr. Lodha added.

The state skill development minister was apparently referring to Ajmal Kasab, who was the only Pakistani terrorist captured alive after the devastating 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008. He was executed by hanging in November 2012.

However, industries minister Uday Samant assured that the government will not take any decision without thoroughly verifying all legal, historical and administrative aspects.

The KEM Hospital, located in Parel area of central Mumbai, is named to honour British monarch King Edward VII. He was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and reigned from 1901 to 1910. The hospital was established and inaugurated in 1926. With about 390 staff physicians and 550 resident doctors, the 1800-bed hospital currently treats about 1.8 million out-patients and 85,000 in-patients annually. It is run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Mr. Samant pointed out that thousands have been given degrees and certificates in the name of KEM. He said the impact needs to be assessed if this decision is taken. “The government’s stand is clear that it will not go ahead till the issues are resolved. The government will do what Mumbaikars want,” he said.

The proposal to rename the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital as ‘Kaushalyashreshtha Ekalavya Memorial (KEM) Hospital’ has been approved by the BMC Health Committee.