Recently, a proposal was put forth to rename Liberty Chowk in Gulberg, Lahore to Rainbow Square.
The ongoing project in Lahore called Sohna Lahore aims to further work on the beautification of projects in Lahore. Several underpasses and roads were painted and fixed. The administration also started beautifying Liberty Chowk by painting the road around it in different colors and the change in name was suggested as part of the efforts done under this project.
However, the proposal does not seem to come across as a welcome change. In fact, people are pretty angry about this change.
People took to social media to complain about Liberty Chowk being renamed.
I strongly protest changing the name of Liberty Roundabout to Rainbow Square!
50 years old legacy known all over the world #Liberty pic.twitter.com/yaGsmxqxD1
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) November 20, 2020
In fact, most people rejected this completely.
True.
New name is Rejected https://t.co/7L6w9XJoTz— FULL TOSS (@meetabnayyar) November 20, 2020
People couldn’t fathom why Liberty Chowk had to be renamed.
In fact, they went on to explain the meaning behind the name.
What’s the logic behind changing liberty chowk’s name to ‘Rainbow square’?
Liberty means freedom and Liberty chowk has a symbolic value.
Why @GovtofPunjabPK why? pic.twitter.com/MNWD9n80ds— Raza Zaidi (@Razaazaidi) November 20, 2020
People tried to spot the reason behind this “obsession” with changing the names of places in Lahore
What is the obsession with renaming places?
I commute through canal road 6 days a week and i have absolutely no idea which one is justice Cornelius underpass. Jail road, mall road, jinnah and Dr hospital bs. https://t.co/8lrv3CrLzF— haroon saeed (@haroonsaeed6) November 20, 2020
Many people analyzed the meaning to be completely different.
They called it an ignorant move. Moreover, they urged the government of Punjab to “act responsibly” by stopping this change in name.
Renaming Liberty Chowk Lahore to Rainbow Square is an ignorance. "Rainbow" is a symbol of the freedom of homosexuality around the world. The Punjab government should immediately withdraw the renaming of Liberty Chowk.#RestoreLibertyChowk
— @Wassay (@WassayHere) November 20, 2020
People believed another “agenda” was at play.
Even liberty chowk has become a victim of LGBTQ agenda. https://t.co/yrhwjnSIVW
— Ahsan (@babayaga4567) November 20, 2020
Punjab Govt decided to honour #LBGTQ community by renaming Liberty chowk to rainbow 🌈 chowk. 👏🏼 https://t.co/l0QW1Ipjmw
— Punjabi Baba (@5abi_) November 20, 2020
Usman Buzdar was dragged into this as well
Usman Buzdar is a LGBT supporter https://t.co/qvB57bqbkq
— Mian Ali Haider (@MianAliHaider0) November 20, 2020
Lahoris really couldn’t hold back their anger over Liberty Chowk possibly being renamed.
Ffs no. Its Lhr, mfs changed the name of liberty chowk to Rainbow square 😓
— 𒀃𒍫𒌵𒆏 ⛰🌊 (@thegr8paki) November 20, 2020
Many pointed out that original names are interesting, and thus, should be used instead of the newly proposed titles
@MashwaniAzhar is it true? We should love history.. original names are fascinating.. https://t.co/76zOjIVAHQ
— Adnan Siddiqui (@Adnan__Siddiqui) November 20, 2020
They clearly said that this change does NOT make any sense and hence, should be opposed
makes no sense, nothing wrong with liberty chock.. https://t.co/4l4shBDVG9
— Desi Trump (@DonaIdJDuck) November 20, 2020
So, what do you think about the new name? Should the proposed name for Liberty Chowk be adopted? Or should the government reject the proposal regarding the change in name? Is the change in the name really a threat to Lahori culture and heritage? Let us know what you think about this in the comments below.
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Cover image via @locallylahore/Twitter