Politics heats up over Education Minister's Ravenshaw University's name change remark; war of words between BJD & BJP

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s statement advocating change in the name of the prestigious Ravenshaw University, one of the oldest educational institutions in Cuttack, has heated up politics in Odisha. The opposition BJD strongly criticized the statement of the Union Minister and asked him not to destroy the ‘Ravenshaw’ brand.

“It is very unfortunate of Mr. Pradhan to give such statements on the pretext of Odisha Asmita. He should have read a little history before making such a statement,” lambasted BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty.

“Pradhan can never understand the contribution of Thomas Edward Ravenshaw in the higher education in Odisha,” he added.

During a programme in Cuttack, Pradhan had stated that there is a need for a name change.

“What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the devastating famine of 1866 in Odisha, when he was the Commissioner of the state,” Pradhan stated.

“Many Odia people were killed in the famine. The ‘Na’anka Durbhikya famine which killed nine out of ten people, occurred due to the administrative failure of the British authorities when Ravenshaw was the Commissioner. Why should a prestigious university of Odisha be named after the British Commissioner?” Pradhan added.

However, he maintained that the changing of the 156-year-old institute was his personal opinion.

Commenting on the issue, BJP Spokesperson Biswal said, “We have seen BJD fight for some non-Odias. Now, they have crossed all limits and are fighting for a Britisher officer. The approach of Pradhan was democratic. We are not running a draconian rule like BJD.”

“BJD did not even hand over 1 inch of land in the name of Ravenshaw University. So, what kind of love are they showing now,” he added.

Commenting on the development, KV Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister, said, "This is Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's personal opinion. There is a need for broader discussion on this."

Congress MLA Sofia Firdous said, "Personally, I am very attached with the name Ravenshaw. So, I feel the name change is not required. Rather if it is given the status of top-class university, then many would benefit, it would give new opportunities to the students. It would also add to the fame of Cuttack city."

Echoing the same, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Former MLA, said, "Being an alumnus of Ravenshaw university, I would not accept such proposal. Name is not big, work is. This is my personal opinion.  Changing the name doesn't change the character or increase the quality of education. Education Minister should suggest ways to improve the quality of education. However, there should be a debate, I welcome this suggestion for debate on the matter."

Meanwhile, Congress leader Smruti Ranjan Lenka accused Union Minister Pradhan of engaging in cheap politics and said that the BJP government was trying to evade its actual duty and responsibility by highlighting irrelevant issues instead of paying attention to the increase in the qualitative value of the education system.