Oppose the move to rename Barkatullah University, Bhopal to Vagdevi Bhopal University

SFI strongly opposes the resolution by the Executive council of Barkatullah University, Bhopal to rename the institution as Vagdevi Bhopal University. This is a pattern carried forward by Sangh Parivar throughout the state of Madhya Pradesh and various parts of the country to advance their agenda of communalism.

Since 1988, the university bears the name of the revolutionary Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali, honoured for anti-colonial struggles and his association with the Gadar Movement. The current move to rename the university is argued as a measure to "restore historical, cultural and civilisational identities while honouring local heroes, freedom fighters and tribal icons." However, the situation clearly indicates the implementation of Hindutva political practice where the icons bearing Islam identity are being erased and replaced with Hindu communal representations.

Madhya Pradesh is noted recently as a state where the education sector has been a proven failure with the maximum number of public schools being shut down and other severe concerns in the higher education sector. Barkatullah University itself has serious concerns that need immediate resolution including issues with infrastructural facilities, delayed salary for the staff and unresolved student grievances. The focus on such symbolic shifts rather than on resolving the structural issues again asserts the priorities of BJP-led state regimes.

SFI strongly opposes this move and shall strengthen the resistance against the communalisation of education. We call upon the students, staff and all the stakeholders of the university to unite against this move and demand the revocation of the resolution.

Released by
Adarsh M. Saji (President, SFI)
Srijan Bhattacharyya (General Secretary, SFI)