Gaurav Gogoi has criticised the Assam government for its decision to remove the name of former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed from Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, describing the move as a “grave insult”.
In a post on X, Gogoi said Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was a respected leader who brought pride to Assam by becoming the fifth President of India and the first Assamese to hold the country’s highest constitutional office.
“We strongly oppose and express deep concern over the Assam government’s decision to remove the name of eminent freedom fighter and the first Assamese former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed from Barpeta Medical College. This decision is a grave insult,” Gogoi wrote.
“Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was a distinguished and respected leader. He was the first Assamese to serve the nation as the fifth President of India. What could be the justification for removing his name from Barpeta Medical College, which was named in honour of such a respected son of Assam?” he added.
The Congress leader further alleged that the decision could be politically motivated and questioned whether it was an attempt by the state government to create religious polarisation ahead of elections.
“Is this yet another attempt by the Chief Minister to pursue communal politics and create religious polarisation for vote-bank interests?” Gogoi said.
He described the decision as unfortunate and disrespectful to the legacy of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, noting that the former President was not only an important political figure but also a freedom fighter whose contributions remain significant in the country’s history.
Gogoi also urged the state government to reconsider the move and retain the former President’s name with the medical college.
Meanwhile, responding to the criticism, Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the decision, saying the change had been made deliberately.
“We have consciously changed the name, and I take full responsibility for that. If you go to the people of Barpeta, everybody is happy,” CM Sarma said.
