Pune Activist Seeks Ban on Naming Public Spaces After Corporators’ Family Members

Pune, 20th May 2026: Senior journalist and civic activist Vinita Deshmukh has launched a public petition urging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to issue a government circular banning the naming of public spaces after corporators and their family members.

The petition raises concerns over what it describes as the growing “privatisation of public recognition” through the naming of civic amenities such as gardens, roads, halls, chowks, libraries and swimming pools funded by taxpayers’ money.

According to the appeal, public infrastructure should honour eminent personalities who have made meaningful contributions to society rather than being used for political glorification or promotion of elected representatives’ relatives.

The demand comes amid criticism over the alleged practice in Pune and several other cities where corporators used civic naming committees to approve proposals in the names of their own family members. RTI findings and earlier investigations had reportedly revealed that a substantial number of naming proposals approved by civic bodies were linked to corporators and their relatives.

The issue has resurfaced following reports that the Pune Municipal Corporation recently withdrew a long-standing restriction that limited the naming of civic assets to eminent citizens and distinguished personalities. Critics claim the move could encourage further political branding and self-promotion through public property.

The petition has urged the Maharashtra government to frame clear guidelines ensuring that public spaces are named only after nationally respected figures or individuals with significant public contributions. It also seeks a ban on naming civic assets after sitting corporators, their close relatives and political associates.

In addition, the appeal has called for greater transparency and citizen participation in naming committee decisions and demanded protection of taxpayer-funded public assets from political branding and personal glorification.

The campaign states that civic infrastructure belongs to citizens and should not be turned into instruments of dynastic political promotion. Citizens have been urged to support the petition and demand accountability and dignity in the use of public spaces.

The petition can be accessed here:
[Change.org Petition on Public Space Naming Ban](https://www.change.org/p/appeal-to-cm-fadnavis-issue-a-circular-to-ban-corporators-family-names-on-public-spaces?utm_source=chatgpt.com)