DUCSU demands rechristening of five DU buildings named after Sheikh family

The protesters say students have reached a consensus to rename Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall as “Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall”

The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) has blocked the main gate of the vice-chancellor’s office demanding the renaming of five university buildings named after members of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's family.

The buildings are the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, Sheikh Russell Tower, Bangabandhu Tower and Sultana Kamal Hostel.

The protesters said students have reached a consensus to rename Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall as “Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall” and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as “Bir Protik Sitara Begum Hall”.

They said an earlier proposal to rename Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall as “Felani Khatun Hall” was rejected by students of the hall.

Alongside the renaming demand, the protesters also called for action against teachers and officials accused of opposing the July Uprising.

On Sunday around 2:45pm, leaders and activists of the DUCSU were seen surrounding the vice-chancellor’s office of Dhaka University, chanting slogans.

Following the protest, the leaders submitted a memorandum to Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha.

Earlier on Saturday night, a crane was brought to remove the nameplate of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and replace it with “Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall”.

Two graffiti of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were also removed and replaced with graffiti of Sharif Osman bin Hadi.