A proposal to change the name of Sugandha Beach in Cox’s Bazar to “Bangabandhu Beach” has ignited a debate and criticism on social media platforms, questioning the sudden need for renaming a small section of the world’s longest beach.
The controversy deepened as it was revealed that the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs had issued instructions to the deputy commissioner (DC) of Cox’s Bazar without the minister’s signature, leading to confusion and internal discussions within the ministry.
Liberation War Minister AKM Mozammel Haque expressed surprise, telling BBC Bangla: “I heard a little from the secretary, I don’t know the details.”
The minister mentioned that the directive was sent to the Cox’s Bazar DC without his approval, raising questions about the process and approval chain within the ministry.
How the idea float
The proposal originated from the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sanatan Sangsad, which submitted a letter to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on February 8, suggesting renaming Sugandha Beach to “Bangabandhu Beach” and the area between Sugandha and Kalatali Beach to “Muktijoddha Beach.”
In the letter, obtained by BBC Bangla, the organization argued that, with the increasing crowds in Cox’s Bazar, having a beach named after the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was important.
Following the proposal, a decision was reportedly made in the 13th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Liberation War.
Subsequently, a letter signed by the ministry’s Assistant Secretary, Shaheb Uddin, was sent to the DC of Cox’s Bazar, instructing the renaming of Sugandha Beach to “Bangabandhu Beach” and the open space between Sugandha and Kalatali Beach to be named “Bir Muktijoddha Beach.”
However, concerns were raised about the approval process, as Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar Muhammad Shaheen Imran told BBC Bangla that approval from the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust was required for any action in the name of Bangabandhu.
Currently, no such approval has been obtained, and the DC emphasized the necessity of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust’s approval.
Permission process
In the case of adding “Bangabandhu” to the names of any institutions or establishments in Bangladesh, a provision requiring approval from the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust was introduced in 2019.
Before naming anything after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family, aside from plays, literary works, and sports events, permission from the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust is necessary.
As of now, no proposal to change the beach’s name has been submitted to the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.
Nazrul Islam Khan, the curator of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Museum and a member of the selection committee of the trust, informed BBC Bangla: “If you want to undertake something like this in the name of Bangabandhu, you have to apply to the trust in advance. According to the rules, if someone applies for naming, that application must be selected by a team led by trust member and Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury Liton. After the verification, the committee gives initial approval, and then it is sent to the president of the trust and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
“Naming something after Bangabandhu can only happen after the prime minister’s approval.”
“I saw some news in the newspaper about naming a beach in Cox’s Bazar after Bangabandhu. However, as far as I know, no such application has been made to the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, nor has the trust given any such approval,” Nazrul added.
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