Industries minister Uday Samant, however, said no decision has been taken yet on changing the name of the hospital.
Key Points
- Lodha controversially labelled King Edward VII, after whom the hospital is named, as "King Kasab" for allegedly looting India.
- The Shiv Sena-UBT party opposes the renaming and demanded renaming properties linked to Lodha's family.
- Industries minister Uday Samant confirmed no decision has been made, citing concerns about degrees and certificates issued in KEM's name.
- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also stated that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has received the request but no decision is final.
Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who has proposed to change the name of Mumbai's civic-run KEM Hospital, on Tuesday called British monarch King Edward, after whom the medical facility was named, as "King Kasab who looted India and killed lakhs of Indians".
Speaking in the state legislative council, the BJP leader also said that those who support King Edward should be condemned.
Industries minister Uday Samant, however, said no decision has been taken yet on changing the name of the hospital.
King Edward Memorial (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 funded mainly by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as per the hospital's official website.
Shiv Sena-UBT MLC Milind Narvekar asked a question regarding the renaming of KEM in the council. His party has been vehemently opposing the renaming of KEM Hospital as proposed by Lodha, who is state Skill Development Minister.
Shiv Sena-UBT MLC Sachin Ahir demanded that the 'Trump Tower' and 'World One', properties linked to the Lodha family, be renamed.
Hitting back, Lodha said when he went to the KEM Hospital, he suggested three (new) names (for the hospital) because people there requested him to do so. Lodha said King Edward did not give any money and looted India. He was "King Kasab" and killed lakhs of Indians, Lodha said, adding that those who support King Edward should be condemned.
Lodha 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.
Meanwhile, replying to a question in the legislative council, Samant said there have been demands in favour of and also against renaming the KEM Hospital.
Samant, who is Industries Minister, 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," Samant said.
In a written reply to a question in the Upper House of the state legislature, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received a request to rename the KEM Hospital and no decision has been taken on it.
He said King Edward has donated money for the hospital.
Shiv Sena MLC Omprakash (Bachchu) Kadu said the name of the hospital is a symbol of British rule, which should be changed.
