Bogura union renaming after state minister’s sons sparks controversy, locals cite 'no public consultation'

The creation of four new unions in Bogura has triggered criticism and political debate after residents alleged that three of the newly chosen names for the unions are linked to the family of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.

The controversy stems from a gazette notification issued on 11 June, under which administrative boundaries were reorganised in Shibganj and the newly formed Mokamtala upazila. The restructuring created four new unions – Mirbari, Shimanto, Diganta and Swarnagram.

Residents claim Mirbari was named after the state minister's ancestral homestead, while Shimanto and Diganta correspond to the names of his sons, Mir Shakrul Alam Shimanto and Mir Saklain Alam Diganta.

The issue has drawn attention because the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009, prohibits naming a union parishad after any living or deceased person, family or political leader.

In Jagannathpur, now part of the newly formed Shimanto Union, resident Izbar Ali questioned the government's claim that the names reflected public opinion.

"We welcome the formation of a new union, but naming it after family members is inappropriate. We were told the names were chosen based on public opinion, but nobody knows whose opinion was taken," he said.

Under the reorganisation, Mirbari Union was formed from 15 mouzas with a population of 18,924. A visit to Betgari village found the minister's ancestral home marked by a tiled roadside sign reading "Mirbari", reinforcing local perceptions about the origin of the name.

Mukul, a grocery trader from Haripur village, said residents were not informed before being included in Mirbari Union. "We used to spend Tk5 to Tk10 to reach the Kichok Union office. Now it may cost around Tk30 to reach the new office. Nobody asked us before making the decision," he said.

Alhaj Ali of neighbouring Gopinathpur echoed those concerns. "Our families have belonged to the Kichok Union for generations. We suddenly hear we are now part of the Mirbari Union. Has anyone considered the complications this may create for land records and other official documents?" he asked.

The controversy is not limited to Mirbari. Shimanto Union, comprising 11 mouzas and a population of 16,267, and Diganta Union, comprising eight mouzas with 17,759 residents, have also come under scrutiny. Swarnagram Union, formed from 17 mouzas, has a population of 18,934.

On Monday evening, more than a hundred people from the newly formed Shimanto Union staged a human chain demanding that the union be named after a local geographical or historical feature rather than an individual.

Not everyone opposes the move. Mostasin Billah of Pakurtala, now part of Diganta Union, argued that the creation of a local union parishad would improve public services. He also claimed that public consultations were conducted about five months ago and that most participants supported the name Diganta.

However, at least three other residents interviewed in the area said they were unaware of any such consultation. Similar responses were found across Shibganj and Mokamtala, where few residents said they knew of any public hearing on the naming process.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ziaur Rahman insisted the names were selected based on public opinion and recommendations from a committee. He said there was no historical basis for the names Shimanto and Diganta and denied any knowledge of how they coincidentally matched the minister's family.

The issue has also entered national politics. Advocate Dilruba Nuri, district member secretary of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Basad) and a former parliamentary candidate, described the naming as a reflection of dynastic politics. She argued that voters had expected a departure from past political practices but were instead witnessing a continuation of family-centred politics.

The matter was raised in parliament on Monday, where Mir Shahe Alam rejected allegations that the unions were named after his sons. He said local administrators and public hearings had recommended the names. 

According to the minister, Shimanto Union was named because the area lies near the boundaries of Gabtali and Sonatala, while Diganta was chosen because of the area's remote location near Gaibandha.

"The names indeed happen to match those of my sons," he told parliament. "If I had intended to name the unions after them, the names would have been Mir Shimanto and Mir Diganta. The word 'Mir' is not there."