A significant debate has erupted on social media concerning the name of Jahangirnagar University (JU). People from across the country are voicing their opinions on the matter.
Some argue that the original name, which was “Jahangirnagar Muslim University” was appropriate, while others see no problem with the current name.
When did the debate begin?
The discussion gained traction last Wednesday when central Islami Chhatra Shibir’s General Secretary, Jahidul Islam, took to Facebook to assert that “Jahangirnagar Muslim University” is among the victims of the removal of the words such as “Islam” and “Muslim”.
On the same day, Islamic scholar Dr Mizanur Rahman Azhari also referred to the institution as Jahangirnagar Muslim University in a Facebook post.
The debate initially started from these two incidents.
However, the situation further intensified on the night of October 29, when, after 35 years, the leaders of the university unit Chhatra Shibir publicly declared their involvement in politics.
This announcement, which was made via a press release, marked their first public appearance.
What led to the ban on Shibir?
On August 15, 1989, Habibur Rahman Kabir, a student leader of Chhatra Dal and a student of the 16th batch of the university's history department, was injured by members of Chhatra Shibir.
He later died on August 26 of that year while undergoing treatment. Following this incident, demands were raised to ban Shibir’s political activities at Jahangirnagar University, holding them responsible for the attack.
In response, student groups on campus formed an 'All-Party Alliance' and banned Shibir from the campus.
This alliance included Chhatra Union, Chhatra League, Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Front, the Jahangirnagar University Cultural Alliance, and other campus organizations uniting against Shibir.
Later, in Jahangirnagar University's 142nd syndicate meeting in 1989, one of the demands raised was to ban Shibir.
The third demand in that syndicate meeting said: “The armed fascist group named Chhatra Shibir shall be banned from political activities on campus.”
The university’s decision in response noted: “As this matter falls outside the university's jurisdiction, no action can be taken.”
What does the history say?
According to university sources, on August 20, 1970, then-president Ayub Khan established the first planned university in East Pakistan on approximately 700 acres of land.
It was named Jahangirnagar Muslim University, reflecting the old name of the capital, Dhaka, which was known as Jahangirnagar.
As a Muslim university, it held the distinction of being the first and only residential university in the country. The university was officially inaugurated on January 12, 1971.
However, in accordance with the secular principles outlined in the Constitution of independent Bangladesh, a proposal to remove the word “Muslim” was approved during a syndicate meeting in 1972-73.
At that time, Syed Ali Ahsan served as the vice-chancellor, while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman held the position of chancellor.
What students think
Regarding this, 49th batch student Roknuzzaman Kafi said the current name is good enough. “We are used to this name. Why would we need to change it?"
Anubrata Nandi, another 49th batch student, said: "Jahangirnagar Muslim University was the name of a university in East Pakistan. But we are no longer East Pakistan. It is a simple discussion."
Abdul Gaffar, a leader of university-unit Chhatra Dal, said: 'Students from all religions study here. To maintain a non-sectarian spirit, the current name is the most reasonable.”
Amartya Roy, a factional president of the Student Union, said: “I don’t see the rationale for reigniting debate over a name from the Pakistan era.”
Regarding the addition of the word 'Muslim,' Mohibur Rahman Muhib, the secretary of the university unit of Chhatra Shibir, said: “It was established as Jahangirnagar Muslim University; this is a historical fact. After the country’s independence, the authorities adopted the current name. There is no reason for controversy over this.”
The university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr M Mahfuzur Rahman, said: “The name of this university was decided in late 1970. However, after independence, during the ordinance, the administration removed the word Muslim.”