Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s recent suggestion to rename Ravenshaw University has sparked a significant political controversy. The debate centres around the legacy of British officer Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named. The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from various quarters, with both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaging in a war of words over the issue.
The BJD has strongly criticised the suggestion, expressing disappointment and calling the minister’s statement “unfortunate.” They highlighted Ravenshaw’s role in promoting education in Odisha during a period of turmoil following the devastating 1866 famine. The BJD has also demanded an apology from Dharmendra Pradhan to the people of Odisha.
The Congress party has also voiced its opposition, not only rejecting the idea of a name change but also advocating for the university to be granted central university status. Meanwhile, the BJP has defended Pradhan’s remarks, describing Ravenshaw as a “tyrannical British officer.” They have criticised the BJD for defending the legacy of a colonial figure, citing historical accounts that allege Ravenshaw attributed the famine to the laziness of the Oriya people.
The proposal has also drawn strong reactions from students and alumni of Ravenshaw University. Various student organisations and former students have staged protests, asserting that “Ravenshaw is not just a name, but an emotion.”
Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo has suggested that the matter warrants further discussion, while State Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj has dismissed the proposal as the minister’s personal opinion.
Thomas Edward Ravenshaw served as the Commissioner of Odisha from 1865 to 1878 during the British Raj. His tenure coincided with the catastrophic famine of 1866, which claimed the lives of approximately 3 million people. Two years after the famine, in 1868, Cuttack District School was elevated to the state’s first college, later renamed in honour of Ravenshaw. While opinions on Ravenshaw’s legacy remain divided, many intellectuals argue that instead of focusing on renaming, efforts should be directed towards enhancing the educational infrastructure at Ravenshaw University.
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