Cuttack:Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan triggered a political storm in Odisha by proposing to rename the historic Ravenshaw University in Cuttack. The remarks of the Union minister have triggered heated exchanges between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Speaking at an event in Cuttack, Pradhan questioned the legacy of Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named. He highlighted Ravenshaw’s role during the devastating 1866 famine in Odisha, known as the Na’anka Durbhikya, which claimed millions of lives. Pradhan argued that it was inappropriate to honour a British administrator who presided over such a tragic period in Odisha’s history.
On the other hand, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty criticised Pradhan’s statement, accusing him of attempting to erase a significant part of Odisha’s educational heritage. “It is very unfortunate for Pradhan to make such statements under the guise of Odisha Asmita. He should have studied history before making such remarks,” Mohanty said. He emphasised the contributions of Thomas Edward Ravenshaw to higher education in Odisha.
BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal defended Pradhan’s stance, arguing that the BJD was promoting a British officer’s legacy over Odia pride. “Pradhan’s approach is democratic. We are not running a draconian rule like the BJD. The BJD’s defence of Ravenshaw is hypocritical, given their lack of support for the university in the past,” Biswal stated.
“What did Ravenshaw, after whom the university is named, do during the devastating fame of 1866 in Odisha, when he was the Commissioner of the state,” Pradhan stated.
The minister, however, maintained that the changing of the 156-year-old institute was his personal opinion.
The BJP also targeted the BJD, saying that the latter was earlier advocating for non-Odia administrative officers while now it was raising its voice in support of a ‘murderer’ British officer.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Smruti Ranjan Lenka accused Union Minister Pradhan of engaging in cheap politics and said that the BJP government was trying to evade its actual duty and responsibility by highlighting irrelevant issues instead of paying attention to the increase in the qualitative value of the education system.
Notably, Ravenshaw University boasts a rich academic legacy with illustrious alums including former Chief Ministers Harekrushna Mahatab, Nandini Satpathy, Biju Patnaik, noted historian Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, Ranganath Mishra, etc.
Ravenshaw University was established in 1868 as a collegiate school and later converted to a full-fledged degree College in 1876 due to the efforts of Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, the then commissioner of the Odisha division.
During Ravenshaw’s tenure as the commissioner, the state witnessed a devastating famine in 1866, locally known as ‘Na Anka Durbhikhsya’. More than one-third of Odisha’s population was wiped out due to the dreadful famine of 1865-66.
