Sanatan Prabhat > Post Type > News > International News > Bangladesh’s Shivganj upazila to be renamed ‘Mahasthan’

Bangladesh’s Shivganj upazila to be renamed ‘Mahasthan’

  • Administration yields to pressure from radical Islamist groups

  • Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI’s financial support to radicals suspected

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – It was only recently reported that the Bangladesh Government halted the construction of the Sanatan Dharma Complex in Gaibandha District following protests and threats from extremist Muslims. Now, it has emerged that, bowing to the demands of extremists, the Administration has initiated the process of renaming Shivganj Upazila in Bogra District as Mahasthan. Objections had reportedly been raised because of the Hindu religious reference contained in the existing name. Critics have described this move as the beginning of a gradual removal of symbols associated with the country’s historical and religious identity.

Plot to rename Lakshmipur, Shambhuganj, Narayanganj, Brahmanbaria, Joypurhat, Thakurgaon and Gopalganj

According to sources, the Shivganj case is not an isolated incident. Members of the Hindu community have expressed concern that similar pressure may, in future, be exerted to change the names of other places such as Lakshmipur, Shambhuganj, Narayanganj, Brahmanbaria, Joypurhat, Thakurgaon, and Gopalganj. Although no official national policy on the matter has yet been announced, these discussions have caused unease within the Hindu community.

Plot to rename capital Dhaka, named after Goddess Dhakeshwari, as ‘Jahangirnagar’

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Senior Editor of the Blitz Weekly

A representative of Sanatan Prabhat discussed the matter with Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Senior Editor of the Blitz Weekly in Dhaka. Commenting on the issue, Choudhury said that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is supporting and financially assisting anti-Hindu activities in Bangladesh. He noted that the ancient city of Dhaka derives its name from the Dhakeshwari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Dhakeshwari. During the Mughal era, the city was known as Jahangirnagar. According to Choudhury, Islamist groups continue to advocate changing the capital’s name back to Jahangirnagar. However, he added that the majority of citizens believe that Goddess Dhakeshwari protects the city of Dhaka. “We are all Bengalis, whereas the extremist Muslims constitute only around 3% of the population. We will never allow Dhaka’s name to be changed,” Choudhury said.

Editorial Perspective

O’ Hindus in India, look at the plight of what was once the Hindu land of Bengal. If you do not become vigilant even now, do not forget that it may take only a few decades for your own state to face a similar situation.

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