A quiet renaming has stirred debate in Lutyens Delhi. On March 6, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma unveiled a nameplate at his new Tughlaq Lane residence, proclaiming it "Swami Vivekananda Marg" with "Tughlaq Lane" in smaller text. The next day, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar, his neighbor at Bungalow No. 8, followed suit. The move by the two BJP lawmakers has sparked speculation about an unofficial rechristening of the iconic address, reflecting a broader party trend of replacing names tied to Mughal history with Indian icons.

Swami Vivekananda, the 19th-century philosopher who championed Indian spirituality globally, contrasts sharply with the Tughlaq dynasty, often recalled for Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s controversial reign (1325–1351). Sharma clarified that "Tughlaq Lane" remains on his signage, citing its listing as "Swami Vivekananda Marg" on Google Maps, while Gurjar hailed Vivekananda as a youth ideal. Neither MP has authority to officially rename the street—that requires New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) approval—but the symbolism aligns with BJP efforts to reclaim cultural identity. Past examples include Tughlaq Road becoming Abdul Kalam Road in 2015 and recent proposals to rename areas like Najafgarh.

Supporters on platforms like X frame it as erasing "tyrants" for "Bharat’s heroes," yet critics warn of historical oversimplification. The Tughlaqs, despite flaws, shaped Delhi through landmarks like Tughlaqabad Fort. Renaming risks flattening this legacy, echoing global debates over statues and street names tied to complex pasts. For now, Tughlaq Lane’s official status holds, and no NDMC proposal has surfaced. Still, the MPs’ nameplates signal a quiet challenge to Delhi’s nomenclature—one that pits heritage against history in a city where names reflect power and memory.