In a citizen convention held on February 12 at Bipin Chandra Pal Bhavan in Sribhumi town, residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed renaming of Karimganj district. The gathering saw community leaders and concerned citizens unite to demand clarity from the government on its decision. Advocate Arunangsha Bhattacharya, a key speaker at the event, criticized the renaming move, emphasizing Karimganj’s deep historical ties to India’s freedom movement. He highlighted the district’s role in the 1961 Language Movement, where martyrs laid down their lives for linguistic rights. Bhattacharya argued that this legacy has made Karimganj a lasting symbol of cultural and linguistic identity.
“The decision seems to have communal undertones,” Bhattacharya alleged, questioning the government’s intent behind the renaming. While acknowledging that renaming places is not uncommon, he expressed frustration over the lack of public consultation. “Why was there no dialogue with political parties or civil society groups?” he asked. During the convention, participants formed a committee to intensify their opposition to the name change. The newly established committee pledged to engage in public awareness campaigns and mobilize support to prevent any alteration of Karimganj’s name without a transparent discussion.
Citizens have called for an immediate government statement to address their concerns, asserting that the district’s heritage should not be altered without broad consensus.