Ravenshaw University renaming row: MP Bhartruhari Mahtab vouches for name change

Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab on Saturday reignited the debate on renaming the Ravenshaw University in Cuttack.

Reiterating his opinion about the renaming of the British-era University in a seminar organised by the Odisha Research Centre, Mahtab cited historical reasons for the change, noting that the state's people suffered greatly under Thomas Edward Ravenshaw during the famine.

According to the veteran BJP leader, an additional grant of Rs 15 was needed to run the educational institution and for that purpose, Ravenshaw was made the president and hence the institution was named after him.

Mahtab also questioned who changed the original name of the college that was given by the founders. He once again reiterated his demand for the renaming of the college and urged the government to take a decision on whose name the university will be renamed.

“A Rs 30 grant was needed and he contributed Rs 15. It reflects our social status at that time. However, it was over 150 years ago. The situation has changed now and hence, the name of Ravenshaw University should be changed. I have also given a suggestion to keep the name of our country as only ‘Bharat’,” said Mahtab.

Meanwhile, eminent poet and essayist Hara Prasad Das has advocated renaming Ravenshaw University after Kapilendra Dev.