Islamic University renames hall after 1971 Pakistani army collaborator

Islamic University in Kushtia has renamed one of its halls to Shah Azizur Rahman, an infamous collaborator of the Pakistani Army during the 1971 Liberation War.

According to the syndicate’s decision, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall has been renamed Shah Azizur Hall, while Sheikh Russel Hall has been renamed Shaheed Anas Hall, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Hall Ummul Muminin Ayesha Siddika Hall, and Sheikh Hasina Hall July-36 Hall.  

Shah Azizur Rahman was opposed to the 1952 Language Movement and, during the Liberation War in 1971, became a member of the cabinet led by Abdul Motaleb Malik of the then East Pakistan, serving as the Revenue Minister.

He opposed the Liberation War and was part of the delegation sent by Pakistan to the United Nations, where he strongly denied that the Pakistan Army had carried out genocide in Bangladesh through “Operation Searchlight.”

Rahman was arrested as a collaborator of Pakistan for opposing the Liberation War and was tried under the Bangladesh Collaborators (Special Tribunals) Order, 1972.

The renaming of the halls has sparked controversy and raised questions about the university’s decision to honor a figure with such a contentious history.

The university authorities also renamed four other halls and an academic building previously named after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members.

The circular stated that the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education had instructed the university to change the names of buildings and institutions named after Sheikh Hasina and her family.

The name changes were discussed in the syndicate’s general meeting, and the decision was taken under Proposal 6.

Copies of the decision have been sent to all departments, including the deans.
The changes were announced in a circular signed by the university’s acting registrar on Wednesday, following the decision made during the university’s 267th syndicate meeting on February 26.