Guwahati, March 12 Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday criticised the Assam government for its decision to rename a medical college by removing the name of former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, and questioned whether it was an attempt to pursue communal politics ahead of the assembly elections.
The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday decided to rename Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital (FAAMCH) as Barpeta Medical College and Hospital (BMCH).
"We strongly oppose and express deep concern over the Assam government's decision to remove the name of the eminent freedom fighter and the first Assamese former President, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, from Barpeta Medical College. This decision is a grave insult," Gogoi, the state Congress president, said on X.
Ahmed was a distinguished and respected leader, and he was the first Assamese to serve the nation as the fifth President of India, the state Congress chief said.
"What justification can there be for removing his name from Barpeta Medical College, which was named in honour of such a respected son of Assam? Or is this yet another attempt by the chief minister to pursue communal politics and create religious polarisation for vote-bank interests by removing the name of the late former President?" Gogoi asked.
The state assembly elections are likely to be held in April.
This attempt by the Assam government to erase the name of a great Assamese personality like Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed is "extremely unfortunate and an insult" to the sentiments of the people of Assam, he added.
"Such a decision by the chief minister and the government not only disrespects a former President but also shows utter disregard for a distinguished freedom fighter, the fifth President of India, and a proud Assamese figure whose remarkable service to the nation remains a significant part of our history," Gogoi said.
He urged the Assam government to reconsider this decision and ensure that the name of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed remains associated with Barpeta Medical College.
"Respecting the history of Assam, its pride, and the contributions of its great personalities is the responsibility and duty of every citizen of the state," Gogoi said.
The FAAMC was established in 2011 in Barpeta district, and it was the fifth government medical college in Assam.
The institution is affiliated with Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences and the college offers undergraduate courses since 2012 and postgraduate medical education since 2019.
Addressing a press conference after a Cabinet meeting on March 10, Sarma had said the government would later name another institution after the former President of India, befitting his stature.
"All our medical colleges are named after the locations of the institutions. We can see that from the medical colleges in Guwahati, Dhubri, Silchar, Bongaigaon, Biswanath, Sonitpur and other places.
"Somehow, the Barpeta one was named as Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, which does not align with the names of other medical colleges," he had said.
Because of its name, many people ask questions about whether it is a private medical college, Sarma had said.
"That is why the Cabinet decided to change the name and make it Barpeta Medical College and Hospital," he had added.
