Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said no roads would be named after Mughals or Pathans and announced the appointment of Swami Pradiptananda Maharaj, also known as Kartik Maharaj, to head a road-renaming panel.Replying to the debate on the Governor’s address in the assembly, the CM referred to criticism over the renaming of a road after a case of mistaken identity involving Suhrawardy. “I have told you that I do not know who changed whose name. I thanked them in a tweet because whenever I travelled through Seven Point, I used to see the signboard saying ‘Suhrawardy Avenue’. Suhrawardy’s name will not remain,” he said.The CM said, “If you think someone like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam — a true patriot and devoted son of the nation — deserves to be honoured, provide the details and we will accord due respect.”The controversy arose because references were made to Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the last Prime Minister of undivided Bengal, who is often referred to by critics as the ‘Butcher of Bengal’ for his alleged role during the Direct Action Day riots. However, according to historians, Suhrawardy Avenue is actually named after his uncle, Lt Col Sir Hassan Suhrawardy — the first Muslim vice-chancellor of Calcutta University and a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.The CM said, “Why should Suhrawardy’s name remain? You said it referred to another Suhrawardy. I came to know that later. Sabina Yasmin (former Trinamool minister) said so, and many others also pointed it out. But let me tell you — and since you have spoken about history, you should listen too. Freedom fighter Bina Das, who fired five shots, was handed over to the British, and for that the then Vice-Chancellor was awarded a knighthood. In Kolkata, the names of such Mughal-Pathan figures will not remain.”Later, a senior Kolkata Municipal Corporation official said there was no scope for rolling back the renaming of Suhrawardy Avenue as Gopal Mukherjee Road.The CM said: “When it comes to naming places after those associated with the Great Calcutta Killing, the Noakhali riots, oppressive British rulers and foreigners — with the sole exception of Sister Nivedita — one must think five times before doing so.”Referring to Yasmin’s proposal, the CM said, “Accepting your suggestion, I am announcing a committee under the leadership of Padma Shri Swami Pradiptananda Maharaj to reassess and evaluate road-renaming proposals. It was you who proposed such an evaluation. Anyone with a proposal may submit it to the committee. We’ll move forward accordingly. Development and heritage. You cannot erase Bengal’s heritage, culture and pride.”Kartik Maharaj, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2025, welcomed the responsibility and stated that this is extremely important for learning about culture, heritage and the history of our country. “The committee will convene within 7 days to identify streets that need to be renamed. The current generation is not fully aware of the rich history of our country. There are streets named after foreign figures and Mughals who have made no contribution to our culture. Those names will be changed. We will rename streets after eminent Indian personalities and individuals associated with Indian culture and history. Streets in areas linked to the birthplaces of famous personalities may also be named after them. We will hold discussions with the Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad and other relevant stakeholders on this matter,” he told TOI.(Inputs from Saikat Ray)
