Kashmir’s prominent Government College for Women on Srinagar’s Maulana Azad Road has changed the name of the auditorium from Lalla Arifa to Lal Ded, in the wake of protests lodged by Kashmiri Pandits.
“Good to see now the name changed from Lalla Arifa to Lal Ded Auditorium at Women’s College, Srinagar, Kashmir. When will the other names be restored? Lal Ded, the mystic saint, will live forever for Kashmir,” Ravinder Pandita, Head of Save Sharda Committee, said.
The women’s college hosted a function on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) at the auditorium, now named as Lal Ded. It was attended by J&K Education minister Sakeena Itoo on completion of 75 years of the college.
In August this year, Abhay Sopori, a prominent Kashmiri Pandit Santoor player, composer and conductor, refused to perform at the college over naming the auditorium after 14th Century poet Lal Ded, described as “Lalleshwari” by Kashmiri Pandits and “Lalla Arifa” by Muslims.
“Good if the name has been changed. Lal Ded is the name that is equally regarded by both the communities. I did not perform at a musical festival of the college after the name of the auditorium was pointed out to me. I cancelled my performance in protest,” Mr. Sopori told The Hindu.
