Bhubaneswar, Sept 5: A heated exchange of words took placed between the ruling BJP and the Opposition BJD over the contentious issue of changing Ravenshaw University’s name in the Odisha Assembly on Thursday.
The debate was triggered following a recent statement by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to consider renaming the premier varsity of Odisha.
During the Assembly's Zero Hour, BJD leader Byomakesh Ray demanded a response from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi regarding the government's stance on the matter, which has sparked significant student unrest.
Ray highlighted that Ravenshaw University, named after TE Ravenshaw, a former Commissioner of Odisha, has been a cornerstone of modern education in the state for 156 years. He noted that Ravenshaw, who took office shortly before the 1866 famine, was a proponent of using the Odia language in schools rather than Bengali.
Congress leader Sofia Firdous also weighed in, stressing the university’s prestigious history and its distinguished alumni. She called for clarity from the government on the name change controversy, arguing that focusing on such issues diverts attention from more pressing matters affecting the institution.
Ray warned that student protests would escalate if any move was made to rename Ravenshaw University.
In response, BJP MLA Irasis Acharya countered BJD's position, questioning their criticism of Ravenshaw. He cited the 1866 famine, suggesting Ravenshaw’s absence during that period was a flaw. Acharya also dismissed the relevance of the Union Education Minister’s personal opinion in the Assembly context.
