A major political gathering scheduled for December 1 in Khulna is now overshadowed by controversy after an eight-party political alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, was found distributing leaflets and press releases unilaterally renaming a prominent city intersection.
The coalition, which is preparing for a divisional rally to press for a five-point demand, has repeatedly referred to the rally venue, officially known as Shib Bari Square (শিববাড়ি চত্বর), as ‘Babri Square’ (বাবরী চত্বর).
The controversial nomenclature was evident today during a press briefing held by Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, Convenor of the rally’s implementation committee and Khulna Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami Amir. He confirmed the main assembly would take place at “Shib Bari (Babri Square) Chottor.”
Cultural Erasure Allegations
The use of “Babri Square” in place of the long-established “Shib Bari Square” has triggered a fierce backlash across social media platforms. Critics are interpreting the move by the Islamist-aligned parties as a deliberate attempt to erase the existing name, which has Hindu origins (“Shib” referring to the deity Shiva), in favor of a nomenclature carrying Islamic political weight.
This non-governmental distortion of the city’s map is being widely viewed as an attack on the area’s cultural harmony and has intensified negative public perception towards the religious parties ahead of their mass demonstration.
Rally Details
The alliance aims to draw between 150,000 and 200,000 people to Monday’s rally. The event will be headlined by Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and chaired by Islami Andolon Bangladesh Amir Mufti Syed Md. Rezaul Karim.
History of Renaming Attempts
This is not the first attempt to change the name of this location. In April 2023, the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) proposed renaming Shib Bari Square to ‘Bangabandhu Square’. That proposal was subsequently withdrawn following strong public opposition, underscoring the deep local attachment to the original name. The current attempt by the eight-party alliance to impose the “Babri Square” name is expected to meet similar, if not fiercer, resistance.
