The removal of names of prominent figures, including renowned chemist Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, biologist Jagadish Chandra Bose, physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, and poet Jibanananda Das, from various buildings of Khulna University has sparked widespread backlash.
Teachers, students, and the general public of Khulna have strongly opposed the move, calling it politically motivated and unjustified.
On October 22, 2016, under then Vice-Chancellor Fayek Uz Zaman, the university syndicate decided to rename 19 buildings and facilities.
However, following the July mass uprising, students raised 37 demands for university reforms, including removing politically named buildings.
Responding to this, the Khulna University administration formed a name change committee on December 4, 2024, which invited proposals from students, teachers, and staff.
The final decision was made in a syndicate meeting on February 8, and an official order was issued on February 12.
Buildings renamed
According to the renaming order, Satyendra Nath Bose Academic Building has been changed to Academic Building-1, Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building to Academic Building-2, Kabi Jibanananda Das Academic Building to Academic Building-3, Joy Bangla Bhaban to Academic Building-4, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall to Bir Shrestha Mohammad Ruhul Amin Hall, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall to Bijoy-24 Hall, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Administrative Building to Administrative Building, Lalon Sai Auditorium to TSC Bhaban, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Administrative Bhaban to Golam Rahman Bhaban (after KU’s first VC), Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Central Laboratory to Khulna University Central Laboratory, Sultana Kamal Gymnasium to Khulna University Gymnasium, and Dr Alim Chowdhury Medical Centre to Khulna University Medical Centre.
Additionally, residential buildings named after martyred intellectuals were changed from Dr Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta Residence to Professors’ Quarters, Dr Sukharanjan Samaddar Residence to Associate Professors’ Quarters, Dr Govinda Chandra Deb Residence to Assistant Professors’ Quarters, and SMA Rashidul Hasan Residence to Lecturers’ Quarters.
However, the names of Rabindranath Tagore and Michael Madhusudan Dutt were not removed.
‘Poor taste’
Many academics and students have condemned the decision, arguing that removing names of apolitical historical figures was unnecessary.
Professor Anwarul Kadir, former president of Socheton Nagorik Committee (Sonak) Khulna, called it a sign of “low mentality and poor taste,” adding that an educational institution should uphold intellectual legacies, not erase them.
Ayman Ahad, an English discipline student, said: “Students only demanded the removal of politically associated names. However, the university also erased non-political figures, which we cannot accept.”
What authorities say
Khulna University Vice-Chancellor Md Rezaul Karim defended the move, saying: “We simply restored the original naming system based on students’ demands. A committee was formed to assess the issue, and the decision was not unilateral. We remain open to discussion.”
Professor ATM Zahiruddin, head of the renaming committee, explained: “We sought public input for renaming politically biased names only. The final decision was made based on the proposals received.”
Meanwhile, Professor Md Mujibur Rahman clarified that the syndicate merely approved the committee’s recommendations without additional interference.
Public response
The issue has also triggered debate on social media.
Zahurul Tanvir, a student leader, reacted on Facebook, writing: “It’s like having a headache and cutting off the head!”
As the controversy continues, many in the Khulna University community call for a reconsideration of the decision, urging authorities to restore the names of non-political figures.