DU students besiege VC's office demanding renaming of 2 halls named after Sheikh Mujib's family

Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu), along with other students, today (21 December) besieged the main gate of the vice-chancellor's office, demanding the renaming of two residential halls currently named after members of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's family.

The protesters want Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to be renamed "Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall" and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall be renamed "Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall."

In this regard, they submitted a memorandum to the university's Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha.

Besides, the students also demanded the renaming of three other university facilities, including one hostel and two residential buildings for officials and employees, also named after Mujib's family.

Earlier, around 2:45pm, students were seen laying siege to the vice-chancellor's office, chanting slogans such as "Break down the icons of fascism," "There is no place for fascism on this land," "All forms of fascism must be uprooted," and "Who is the father of BAKSAL? Sheikh Mujib, Sheikh Mujib."

Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem and other leaders along with students and hall union leaders, participated in the demonstration.

Speaking at the programme, Shadik Kayem said, "The first demand we have brought today is that all names on the university campus that stand as icons of fascism must be changed immediately. We have already received students' opinions."

On the issue of teachers and officials who allegedly opposed the July Uprising, he said that "collaborators of fascism are still conspiring while sitting in the registrar's building."

"We will not make any more compromises. The highest administrative action must be taken against them," he added.

Earlier, students of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall reportedly removed the hall's nameplate last night and wrote "Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi Hall" in its place.

Yesterday, Ducsu had initially announced its intention to rename Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as Shaheed Felani Hall. However, elected representatives of the hall union opposed the move and staged protests.

Subsequently, following a vote in the hall students' Facebook group, Ducsu revised its proposal today, replacing the name Felani with Bir Protik Sitara Begum.

Ducsu Literature and Culture Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibne Muhammad confirmed the change in the demand.