Bhubaneswar: A political storm has erupted after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's recent comments regarding the renaming of Ravenshaw University. The remarks, made during an event, have sparked heated debates and opposing viewpoints from various political leaders and public figures.
In a press meet, Congress spokesperson Smrutiranjan Lenka criticized the suggestion, stating that changing the name of a historic institution is an attempt to alter the country's history. He warned that such actions could manipulate students' emotions, leading to potentially dangerous consequences. Lenka emphasized that playing with history for political gain is not acceptable.
Former MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik also weighed in on the issue, expressing that the name of an institution is secondary to its actual work. According to him, changing the name of the university will neither improve its character nor the quality of education. Instead, he suggested that the focus should be on improving educational standards, for which he advised consulting the Education Minister. Patnaik believes that while the proposal might not be worth considering, the controversy it stirs seems intentional.
On the other hand, Anil Biswal from the BJP defended Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's stance. He questioned why the legacy of colonialism should continue to influence modern-day institutions. Biswal highlighted that Ravenshaw University is a source of pride for every Odia, and Pradhan's approach to renaming the institution is rooted in democratic values. He asserted that unnecessary controversies should not be created over this issue. He further criticized the BJD, accusing them of siding with British officers after previously advocating for non-Odia officers. Biswal pointed out that during the British era, Odisha faced a devastating famine, resulting in the death of 20 lakh Odias. He argued that T.E. Ravenshaw played no significant role in the establishment of the university, and thus, bringing up irrelevant topics for political gain is unwarranted.
The controversy began on Friday when Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the Autonomous Governance Day celebrations at Ravenshaw University. During the event, he raised the issue of renaming the institution, questioning the contribution of T.E. Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named. Pradhan also referred to the great famine of Na'anka, highlighting Ravenshaw's alleged role in the suffering of Odias. He expressed his personal opinion that renaming the university is necessary and called for an open debate on the matter. He urged the intellectuals of the state to reflect on this issue.
However, Pradhan's statement has faced strong opposition from various quarters. Three former professors and several students have vehemently opposed the renaming proposal. Former professor Hemendra Narayan Das criticized Pradhan's comments, calling them baseless. He emphasized that Ravenshaw is more than just a name; it represents a way of life. Similarly, former professor Satyakam Mishra termed the idea of renaming as a sign of inferiority complex. He stressed that Ravenshaw University has a rich history spanning over a century, and those who are unaware of Ravenshaw's contributions should refrain from making such comments. Mishra also highlighted Ravenshaw's significant role in promoting the Odia language and identity, calling any attempt to insult his legacy unacceptable.
Another former professor, Kamala Prasad Mahapatra, expressed his concerns over the renaming proposal, stating that T.E. Ravenshaw's contributions to the establishment of the college are unmatched. He emphasized that Ravenshaw's contributions to Odisha's education sector are unparalleled, and the government should avoid making any hasty decisions that could lead to unnecessary controversy.
As the debate continues, the renaming of Ravenshaw University has become a focal point of discussion in Odisha, with strong opinions on both sides of the argument. The outcome of this debate remains to be seen, but it has certainly stirred emotions across the state.