Bangladesh changes eight military facility names, 16 more under review

The change affects sites named after Hasina, her family, and persons affiliated with her administration

Eight establishments of the armed forces, named after ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, or associates of her government, have been renamed.

These include three each from the Navy and Air Force, along with one from the Defence Services Command and Staff College and another from the Ministry of Defence.

In addition, the defence ministry has submitted a summary to Chief Advsior Muhammad Yunus seeking approval for renaming 16 more army facilitieses.

A notification issued by the ministry on Sunday said the interim prime minister, who holds executive authority over the ministry, had approved the new names for eight establishments.

It also published the list of the renamed sites:

1. BNS Bangabandhu in Chattogram’s New Mooring → BNS Khalid Bin Walid

2. BNS Sheikh Mujib at Namapara of Dhaka’s Khilkhet → BNS Dhaka

3. BNS Sheikh Hasina in Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua → BNS Pekua

4. BAF Base Bangabandhu in Dhaka’s Kurmitola → BAF base Bir Uttam AK Khandaker

5. Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre in Dhaka’s Kurmitola → Bangladesh Aeronautical Centre

6. Bangladesh Airforce Academy Bangabandhu Complex in Jashore → BAFA Complex

7. Sheikh Hasina Complex at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur → DSCSC Complex

8. Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Ganabhaban Complex in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar → Defence Museum

The defence ministry has sent a summary proposing changes to the names of 16 army sites, Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed.

The proposed new names include:

1. Bangabandhu Cantonment in Tangail’s Bhuapur → Jamuna Cantonment

2. Bir Muktijoddha Abdul Hamid Cantonment in Kishoreganj’s Mithamoin→ Mithamoin Cantonment

3. Sheikh Hasina Cantonment in Barishal’s Lebukhali → Barishal Cantonment

4. Sheikh Russel Cantonment in Shariatpur’s Zajira→ Padma Cantonment

5. Bangabandhu Complex (including sculpture) at Bangladesh Military Academy, or BMA, in Chattogram’s Bhatiari→ BMA Academic Complex

6. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Battery Complex (Complex-1 and Complex-2) in Chattogram’s Halishahar → Artillery Centre and School

7. Mujib Regiment Artillery at Ramu Cantonment in Cox’s Bazar → 1 Field Regiment Artillery

8. Bangabandhu Military Museum in Dhaka’s Bijoy Sarani → Bangladesh Military Museum

9. Bangabandhu Composite Military Farm in Zajira → Composite Military Farm

10. Bangabandhu Museum at Dhaka Cantonment → Independence Museum

11. Bangabandhu Cantonment Public School and College in Tangail’s Bhuapur→ Jamuna Cantonment Public School and College

12. Sheikh Russel Cantonment Public School and College in Narayanganj’s Jolshiri→ Adamjee Cantonment Public School and College

13. Sheikh Russel Cantonment Public School and College in Shariatpur’s Zajira → Padma Cantonment Public School and College

14. Sheikh Hasina Cantonment Public School and College in Barishal’s Lebukhali → Barishal Cantonment School and College

15. Sheikh Kamal Complex (including sculpture) at Chattogram Cantonment → EBRC Academic Complex

16. Mujib Battery Road in Chattogram’s Halishahar → Golondaj Road

The Awami League chief Hasina fled to India on Aug 5, 2024, in the face of the mass uprising and has remained there since.

Since taking office, the interim government has been renaming different institutions and facilities that were previously named after Hasina, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, their family members, and Awami League leaders.