Dhaka — A network of university teachers has strongly protested initiatives to rename residential halls and facilities named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at several universities, describing the moves as undesirable and part of a political agenda.
In a statement issued on Saturday (January 10), the University Teachers’ Network said the practice of renaming institutions and infrastructure following changes in state power has become a long-standing and condemnable culture in Bangladesh.
The statement noted that this tendency intensified over the past 17 years, during which numerous state-funded establishments were named after members of the Sheikh family. The organisation described this trend as an example not only of politicisation but also of personalisation of public institutions.
The teachers’ group argued that the absence of a clear policy on naming and renaming has allowed universities, residential halls, faculty buildings, departments, research institutions, as well as roads and public squares, to be renamed on political considerations. Such practices, they said, should be halted, especially when public funds are involved.
According to the statement, following the July uprising, authorities at various institutions have become increasingly eager to change the names of different facilities. While some changes may warrant discussion, many decisions are unnecessary and inappropriate. The network alleged that initiatives to rename facilities named after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been particularly prominent.
Citing examples from Rajshahi University, Jahangirnagar University and Bangladesh Agricultural University, the teachers said the renaming of “Bangabandhu Hall” at these institutions is not driven by ideological considerations but rather forms part of a political blueprint aimed at erasing elements deeply connected to the country’s history, society and culture.
Regarding the University of Dhaka, the network said the university syndicate has recommended renaming a hall established nearly four decades ago after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Shahid Osman Hadi Hall, a decision that may soon be finalised by the senate. The organisation termed the recommendation unacceptable.
The statement recalled that in the 1980s, two student dormitories at the University of Dhaka were named after national leaders Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman, and that these names have remained unchanged for decades. It added that even though the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina has been ousted from power, there is no justification for erasing the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
While reiterating its stance demanding justice for the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, the teachers’ network said renaming a long-established hall named after a national leader in his honour would be a hasty and politically immature decision. Instead, it suggested that a new building could be named after Hadi, who was a former student of the university.
The organisation urged the University of Dhaka authorities to immediately withdraw from the renaming decision and called for an end to the politically motivated culture of naming and renaming public institutions.
