S A Shofiee, Sylhet :
Various establishments named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family are still intact in various establishments of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Teachers and students have expressed anger over the failure to change the name even after 9 months of the historic revolution of the students and the public.
Students say that the Sheikh family is a hated name in Bangladesh. Whenever this family came to power, it established fascism. Therefore, the name of any institution run by the people’s money cannot be the name of this family. They say, in whose interest has the university authorities not changed the name yet and to please whom is the authority silent? If the establishments named after the Sheikh family are not changed, it will be a betrayal of the protectors of the July martyrs. Therefore, the university administration should take immediate action in this regard.
Sources say that the Sheikh family has Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Research Cell in the name of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
On visiting the website of Shabiprobi, it was found that the names of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Research Cell are still valid. The website still names the hardline Awami League teacher leader Dr. Abdul Gani as the director of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Research Cell. However, although the name of the hall is still valid, the website provides information about the new administration after the July Revolution.
According to university sources, the Ministry of Education has sent a letter seeking information about the name change in various establishments of the university after the July Revolution. However, the authorities of Shabiprobi have already submitted that information to the Ministry of Education.
It is learnt that a committee has been formed in the university syndicate to change the name of the establishment named after Sheikh Hasina’s family. However, the committee has not yet submitted its report. Many are expressing anger over the slowness of the administration in taking a decision on this issue.
It is learnt that even after almost 7 and a half months since the university administration took charge after the July Revolution, it has not been able to change the establishment named after the Sheikh family. Officials said that the name change is being delayed due to administrative complications.
A department head of the university, who did not want to be named, said that fascism is very strong. Their people still remain in various positions. That is why I could not even remove Sheikh Mujib’s picture from my department.
A student named Tasfifayah Haque said that state establishments cannot be in the name of a dictator. These establishments established with the money of the people are the property of the state. Therefore, even after all these days of the revolution, there can be no establishment named after the family of Sheikh Hasina, the mother of fascism.
When asked whether the establishment in the name of the Sheikh family will be changed, SUST Pro-VC Professor Dr. Md. Sajedul Karim said that the syndicate has formed a committee to decide on this matter. The syndicate will take the next decision after receiving the committee’s recommendation. He said that various establishments will be renamed after knowledgeable people of Sylhet. For this, prominent people of Sylhet can propose names. Those who have contributed to the region in various fields will be given priority.
