Five Senate members, representing the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU), walked out of the Senate session on Monday, as a decision to change the names of five DU facilities named after the Sheikh family members was not finalised.
The DUCSU representatives who walked out were Vice-President (VP) Shadik Kayem, General Secretary (GS) S M Forhad, Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Muhammad Mohiuddin, Transport Secretary Asif Abdullah, and Member Sabikun Nahar Tamanna. DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor A B M Obaidul Islam requested them not to leave the session.
Following demands from the DUCSU and students, the DU Syndicate, the university's highest policymaking body, decided on January 8 to place a proposal before the Senate regarding changing the names of five facilities named after the Sheikh family.
The facilities are Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Sheikh Russell Tower, Bangabandhu Tower, and Shahid Athlete Sultana Kamal Hostel.
During Monday's Senate session, the issue was placed by the DU VC. Later, the Senate members presented their opinions on the matter. Senate Member Professor Md Lutfor Rahman said proper procedures should be followed and suggested that the issue be sent back to the Syndicate for further review. Professor Dr Samina Luthfa also expressed her objection to changing the names.
The DUCSU representatives said students were facing difficulties due to the names of the facilities. They claimed that students from the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall faced harassment while carrying the hall banner during a programme at the National Memorial. Student clubs at the halls were struggling to get sponsorship because of the names.
DUCSU VP Shadik Kayem said after the July Uprising, the government changed the names of more than 800 institutions named after the Sheikh family, and there were precedents for such changes.
At the end of the discussion, the DU VC opined that the matter be sent back to the Syndicate for further consideration.
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