Assam: BJP drops former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s name from Barpeta Medical College
Guwahati: The BJP-led government in Assam has decided to remove the name of former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed from a medical college in the Muslim-majority district of Barpeta. The move has sparked widespread anger and resentment among the opposition Congress party and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) ahead of next month’s Assembly elections.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College was established in 2011 and it began offering undergraduate courses in 2012, when the Congress was in power in Assam.
The BJP decision has drawn sharp criticism from Congress, AIUDF, and the local Muslim community. AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal said the move has deeply hurt the Muslim community and questioned what gain the BJP seeks by removing the name. “Entire Muslim society is hurt by this act. Those who have been targeting the Muslims in Assam by repeatedly calling them Miyas have done so,” he said.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi condemned the decision as an insult to a distinguished freedom fighter. In a social media post, he noted Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was not only a respected freedom fighter but also the first Assamese to serve as the President of India. He said removing his name from the Barpeta Medical College raises serious questions about the rationale behind the government’s decision. “The Assam government’s decision to remove the name of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed from the Barpeta Medical College is extremely unfortunate and deeply hurtful to the sentiments of the people of Assam,” Gogoi said.
He further said that the move may be politically motivated and questioned whether the state government was attempting to pursue divisive politics for electoral gains.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed served as India’s fifth President from 1974 until his death in 1977.
