The petitions stated that the State government had aborted its attempt to change the name of Aurangabad in the year 2001.
However, the government led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray raised the issue in his last cabinet, allegedly in an unauthorised manner for political benefits.
The petitioners claimed that the decision was in complete disregard to the provisions of the Constitution.
The plea against renaming Osmanabad submitted that the name change of Osmanabad to Dharashiv could incite religious and communal hatred, causing rifts between religious groups, and was thus contrary to India’s secular fabric.
It also pointed out that in 1998, the Maharashtra government had attempted to alter the name of Osamnabad to Dharashiv but failed.
Source: Barandbench
