Bhubaneswar: A heated debate ensued between the Treasury Bench and Opposition Lawmakers in the House today over the proposal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to change the name of Ravenshaw University.
While BJP and Congress strongly opposed the proposal of Shri Pradhan and sought a statement from the Chief Minister on the issue, the BJP favoured the move. This issue was first raised by BJD MLA Byomakesh Ray in the House during the Zero Hour.
Describing Ravenshaw University as a 156-year-old milestone in the State’s Education sector, Shri Ray said T E Ravenshaw had taken over shortly before the great famine of 1866.
Shri Ray also pointed out that Ravenshaw was instrumental in promoting the use of the Odia language in schools, marking a significant milestone in the state’s educational history. He warned that any attempt to alter the university’s name could lead to intensified student protests.
The BJD leader demanded a statement from the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirming the Odisha government’s stand on the issue.
He warned that the student agitation would be intensified if any steps were taken to change the name of Ravenshaw University.
Another BJD Legislator Sarada Prasanna Jena said the quality and standard of education cannot improve only through change of name of an institution. He alleged that attempts are being made to create unrest in a peaceful city like Cuttack.
Similarly, young Congress Legislator Sofia Firdous said that Ravenshaw University was a notable educational institution of the State which boasts of having a galaxy of great intellectual alumni.
“From schooling time, students have a dream to study in Ravenshaw, which itself is a brand name. Many passed out students and intellectuals are strongly opposing the move and seeking a clarification from the Odisha government on this issue,” she said.
The Congress MLA slammed the BJP over the name changing of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium (SVP Stadium) to Narendra Modi Stadium. She sought a statement from the Chief Minister on the Ravenshaw name change issue.
Speaking on the issue, BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy claimed that the people of Odisha have accepted the suggestion made by the Union Minister and only those who functioned through remote are opposing it.
Seeking to know as to why any institution in the State should be named after a Britisher, he said there are many legendary leaders and great personalities who contributed immensely towards enriching the culture, language and life in Odisha.
Speaking to media persons, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya, however, countered the BJD’s position, accusing them of being ruled by outside influences. He criticized Ravenshaw for taking a 70-day leave during the 1866 famine, a time when Odisha was suffering immensely.
Referring to the statement of the Union Education Minister, Shri Acharya said that it was not right to raise someone’s personal statement in the Assembly.
Notably, Education Minister Shri Pradhan had recently told media persons that the people of Odisha as well as intellectuals should ponder whether we need an institute named after Ravenshaw during whose tenure the devastating famine in 1866 occurred in Odisha.