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Why UP’s Raj Bhavan has been named Jan Bhavan and not Lok Bhavan

Centre had issued directives to all states two months ago to change the name of Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan, saying the word Raj Bhavan reflects ‘colonial mindset’.

Why UP’s Raj Bhavan has been named Jan Bhavan and not Lok BhavanThe Uttar Pradesh government decided to name its Governor's house or Raj Bhavan to “Jan Bhavan”. (Photo Enhanced using AI)

About two months after the Union Home Ministry wrote to Governors across the country suggesting changing the name of the Governor’s house from ‘Raj Bhavan’ to ‘Lok Bhavan’, the Uttar Pradesh government decided to name its Governor’s house or Raj Bhavan to “Jan Bhavan”.

While many states have already changed the name of their Raj Bhavans to “Lok Bhavan”, in Uttar Pradesh, the building comprising the Chief Minister’s Office and other government offices, located in front of Vidhan Sabha, is already called “Lok Bhavan”.

As a result, it was decided to name the Uttar Pradesh Governor House “Jan Bhavan”, officials said.

“In compliance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, regarding the standardization of names of the official residences of Governors, the official residence of the Governor of Uttar Pradesh has been renamed,” said an official statement from the Governor’s House on Wednesday.

“The official residence of the Governor, previously known as ‘Raj Bhavan’, will now be called ‘Jan Bhavan”. In accordance with the said instructions, the official residence of the Governor of Uttar Pradesh will, with immediate effect, be designated and referred to as Jan Bhavan for all official and legal purposes,” the statement added.

Last November, the Ministry of Home Affairs had written to all the Governors, suggesting changing the name of “Raj Bhavan” to “Lok Bhavan”, saying “Raj Bhavan” reflects a colonial mindset.

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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