Silchar: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has demanded that the name of Assam University be changed to “Silchar University,” arguing that the institution should carry the name of the place where it is located.

The demand comes shortly after the Assam Cabinet decided to rename the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital as “Barpeta Medical College.” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said the change was necessary because most medical colleges in the state are named after their locations, while the Barpeta institution was an exception. According to him, the existing name often led people to mistake it for a private institution.

Citing the same reasoning, BDF convenor Hrishikesh Dey said the central university in Silchar should also be renamed. In a video message, he pointed out that two central universities were established at the same time in Assam, one in Tezpur and the other in Silchar. While the university in Tezpur was named Tezpur University, the one in Silchar was named Assam University.

Dey said that if institutions across the state are being renamed after their locations, the same principle should apply to the central university in Silchar. He added that fulfilling the demand would show the state cabinet’s neutrality and ensure that no particular community is being favoured.

He further alleged that if the demand is ignored, it could raise questions about the motive behind removing the name of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed from the Barpeta medical college, a leader widely regarded as a proud figure from Assam. According to him, the decision could otherwise be seen as politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections.

Dey also said that, following the same logic, the name of Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Guwahati should be changed to “Panbazar Hospital.” The demand was conveyed through a press statement issued by BDF convenor Debayan Deb.