As the controversy erupted over renaming a cricket stadium in Gujarat after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government on Wednesday (February 24) clarified that the name change involves only the Motera stadium and the entire sports complex continues to be named after Sardar Patel.

Ahead of the pink ball Test between India and England, India’s honourable President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the refurbished stadium in Ahmedabad, which will now be known as ‘Narendra Modi stadium.’

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Soon after the official announcement, Twitter was ablaze with remarks. Some leaders of the Congress and other opposition parties slammed the government and called this renaming exercise an “insult” to Sardar Patel, who was India’s first deputy Prime Minister.

However, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar rubbished the allegations, saying only the Motera stadium has been renamed and the complex continues to be named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

“The name of the Sports Complex is Sardar Patel Sports Enclave. Only the name of the Cricket Stadium, within the complex has been named after Narendra Modi. Ironically, "The Family" , which never respected Sardar Patel, even after his death, is now making hue and cry,” Javadekar tweeted.

Attacking the government, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor tweeted: “Maybe they just realised the stadium was named for a Home Minister who had banned their parent organisation! Or maybe this is advance booking to ensure the next visiting Head of State is hosted here, like Trump? Or is this the beginning of a legacy-creation-thru-labelling spree?”

Another Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out the government for renaming the stadium.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, without directly talking about the stadium, tweeted a Hindi quote of Sardar Patel, “There is something unique in this soil, which has always been the abode of great souls despite many obstacles.

(With PTI inputs)