The Ghazipur Education Department recently renamed the school PM Shri Composite Vidyalaya Dhamupur, moving away from its previous title in honour of Veer Abdul Hamid, a hero of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. This decision has faced sharp criticism from the martyr’s family and several political leaders, who view the change as an affront to his sacrifice.
Jamil Alam, the grandson of Veer Abdul Hamid, expressed his deep displeasure with the change. He said that the school was named after his grandfather to honor his supreme sacrifice for the nation, and he described the renaming as an arbitrary and insulting move by the school authorities. Alam filed an official complaint with the Basic Education Officer (BSA), urging immediate action to restore the school’s original name.
In response to the complaint, BSA Ghazipur officer Hemant Rao acknowledged the issue. The school’s headmaster reportedly clarified that Veer Abdul Hamid’s name was not officially recorded in the school documents. Rao assured that he would personally investigate the matter, highlighting the importance of respecting his legacy. He pledged to take appropriate action if any procedural lapses were discovered.
The renaming of the school has triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, who allege that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is deliberately erasing contributions made by Muslim freedom fighters and wartime heroes. Congress leader Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan expressed his outrage, calling the renaming “reprehensible” and an insult to the memory of a “great warrior.” Azad Ravan demanded the restoration of the original name and stated that the action questions the nation’s respect for its martyrs.
On X, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi also condemned the move, calling for the restoration of the school’s name in honour of Veer Abdul Hamid. He further urged the government to preserve the institution as a memorial to the hero’s memory.
Ajay Rai, President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, joined the chorus of criticism, accusing the government of mocking the sacrifices of national heroes. He pointed out that this move followed a similar controversy regarding the Sampurnanand Sports Complex, which had also been renamed, raising concerns over a broader pattern of revising historical records to fit a specific political agenda.
The dispute over the name change has sparked a wider conversation about how historical narratives are shaped, especially regarding the contributions of Muslim soldiers and freedom fighters. Many critics argue that the ruling government’s actions represent a deliberate attempt to adjust history to align with its ideological stance.
