Why names of Jibanananda-Jagadishchandra removed from establishment?

Probably no editor in Bangladesh ever thought that an editorial would have to be written on such a subject. Many incidents and accidents happen in the world; but some incidents are completely unimaginable, inexplicable and ethnically shameful. One such shameful incident happened at Khulna University.

The names of eminent personalities like biologist Jagadishchandra Bose, renowned chemist and teacher Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, physicist and teacher Satyendranath Bose, poet Jibanananda Das, martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chowdhury have been removed from various establishments and buildings of Khulna University, triggering widespread criticism in the media and social media across the country.

Wahiduddin Mahmud, the education adviser to the interim government, has also expressed his anger over the matter. He is shocked by the change of names of several halls, including the administrative building of Khulna University. Writer Moinul Ahsan Saber wrote in his Facebook post, “Does removing the names of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, Jagadishchandra Bose, and Jibanananda Das from the buildings constitute any achievement other than proving oneself as a fool and a communalist?”

As of the latest news, no one is taking responsibility after the criticism. According to media reports on Thursday (February 27), students of the university say that they did not ask for the name change of the establishments named after scholars and intellectuals. The ‘Hall and Building Renaming Proposal Committee’ says they have only submitted some proposed names. Syndicate members say they have only approved the committee's report. On the other hand, Khulna University Vice-Chancellor Md Rezaul Karim told the media that it is not right to blame him alone.

Who will be held responsible? Many kinds of incidents are happening after the July mass uprising. Some ultra-enthusiastic persons are doing something that has no explanation; but on what grounds are the names of great people like Jagadishchandra Bose, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, Satyendranath Bose, Jibanananda Das, martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chowdhury being omitted? People have natural common sense. How can it be if there are no people with common sense in an educational institution like a university?

According to university sources, 19 buildings and establishments were renamed at a meeting of the university syndicate chaired by then Vice Chancellor Fayek Uz Zaman on October 22, 2016. After the July uprising, university students raised 37-point demand for university reforms and realise rights on October 28 last year. One of those demands was to remove the names of political figures from all structures on campus.

Don't the university authorities know that the names mentioned above are not those of any political figures. They are the pride of our nation. The omission of the names of scholars and intellectuals has been the subject of criticism on social media for a long time. Prominent people of the country have commented that changing the name in this way is a sign of low taste. They have termed it as a sign of very low mentality. It is unthinkable that teachers of an educational institution can have such a mentality. It is completely condemnable.

We also strongly condemn this incident. Those involved in this incident should be brought to justice quickly. Urgent measures should be taken now so that the entire nation does not have to face shame in such an incident. This incident teaches us one thing and that is this nation needs to be more educated. Let us begin our journey towards that enlightening education.