DHAKA, March 3: Khulna University in Bangladesh has recently altered the names of various institutions on campus, removing the names of esteemed figures such as chemist Prafulla Chandra Ray, physicist Jagadish Chandra Bose, and poet Jibanananda Das, prompting severe backlash from both faculty and students.
Wahiduddin Mahmud, the education advisor for the Interim Government, expressed his disappointment over this decision at a BRAC University convocation in Dhaka last week, as reported by Prothom Alo. He stated, “We’ve grown up hearing tales about Jagadish Chandra Bose. There were previously buildings and facilities named after him at Khulna University, but now those names have been changed. The building named after Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray is also among those that have seen a name change. This is quite disheartening.” He added, “It’s unimaginable that the name of the building dedicated to Jagadish Chandra Bose could be altered. I hope the university administration and students can resolve this matter.”
The local unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has also denounced this action. Jayanta Kundu, assistant organizing secretary of the BNP’s national executive committee, questioned, “I’d like to know from the KU vice chancellor by what authority the names of Lalon Sai, Jibanananda Das, Satyendranath Bose, and Jagadish Chandra Bose can be removed. You will have to answer for this one day.”
An eminent educationist and president of the Socheton Nagorik Committee (Sonak) Khulna, Professor Anwarul Kadir, remarked, “In short, this incident reflects a lack of taste and mentality. It’s astounding that university educators would tolerate such an attitude.”
This decision was made during a syndicate meeting at KU on February 8, with an official order issued on February 12.
The Syed Nazrul Islam administrative building has been renamed after Golam Rahman, the university’s first vice-chancellor. Additionally, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall is now Bir Shreshtha Mohammad Ruhul Amin Hall. Other name changes include: Bangamata Fazilatunnessa Hall to Bijay 24 Hall, Satyendranath Basu Academic Building to Academic Building-1, Jagadish Chandra Academic Building to Academic Building-2, Poet Jibanananda Das Academic Building to Academic Building-3, and Joy Bangla Building to Academic Building-4. Furthermore, the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Administrative Building is now simply Administrative Building, Sultana Kama Gymnasium has become Khulna University Gymnasium, and Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Central Laboratory has been renamed Khulna University Central Laboratory. The names of four faculty quarters named after martyred intellectuals have also been altered.
Mohammad Majharul Hannan, the president of the Bangladesh Principal’s Association and former treasurer of Khulna University, commented, “While we have no objections to the contentious names, changing those associated with renowned personalities is not wise at any level.”
Jahurul Tanvir, a statistics student at Khulna University and member secretary of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, expressed on Facebook, “The situation surrounding these name changes feels like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
In response, KU Vice Chancellor Md Rezaul Karim told Prothom Alo, “We didn’t act unilaterally. We reverted to the previous names as requested by students. A committee was established to address their demands. This wasn’t solely my decision. I am always available for discussions if students wish.” He further stated, “It’s incorrect to place all the blame on me. The syndicate made this decision, with several knowledgeable individuals involved.”
