Removal of names of Jibanananda, Jagadish from Khulna University buildings faces widespread criticism

Widespread criticism has emerged over the renaming of buildings at Khulna University, including those named after world-renowned scholars like Jibanananda Das and Jagadish Chandra Bose.

The university's 230th Syndicate made the decision to rename the buildings on 8 February, which was formalised through an office order issued on 12 February.

The controversy escalated after Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud recently voiced his disapproval of the changes while speaking at BRAC University convocation. 

"We have heard the story of Jagadish Chandra Bose since childhood," Mahmud said.

The adviser said, "There were buildings and establishments named after Jagadish Chandra Bose and scientists like him in Khulna University; their names have been changed. There were establishments named after Prafulla Chandra. The names of some other buildings named after Jagadish Chandra Bose have been changed. This has shocked me. 

"I hope that the university authorities and students will work together to address this."

In response to the growing criticism, Vice-Chancellor Md Rezaul Karim said, "We will engage in discussions with students and teachers on this matter. We will retain what is necessary and address the rest. There are various opinions, and we are considering them. We will have discussions to resolve this."

According to Khulna University sources, a meeting of the university's syndicate on 22 October 2016, chaired by then Vice-Chancellor Fayek Uz Zaman, decided to rename 19 buildings due to the political context at that time.

Following the political changes after last year's mass uprising, Khulna University students raised a 37-point demand, one of which was the renaming of buildings dedicated to political figures. Therefore, the university formed a "Renaming Proposal Committee for Halls and Various Buildings" on 4 December, and a public notice was issued on 8 December to gather proposals for new names.

While the public notice focused on changing the names of political figures' buildings, other buildings were also renamed. 
When asked about this, Professor ATM Zahiruddin, the committee's convener, said, "The committee has done its work. I am not aware of the name changes for the rest."

Among the significant changes, the Syed Nazrul Islam Administrative Building was renamed after Golam Rahman, the university's first vice-chancellor, while other notable renamings include Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to Bir Shrestha Mohammad Ruhul Amin Hall, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall to Bijoy 24 Hall, Satyendra Nath Bose Academic Building to Academic Building 1, Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building to Academic Building 2, Kabi Jibanananda Das Academic Building to Academic Building 3, and Joy Bangla Bhaban to Academic Building 4.

Additionally, the names of several other buildings and facilities were changed, including the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Administrative Building, the Sultana Kamal Gymnasium, and the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Central Research Laboratory.