Guwahati, March 12 (NationPress) - Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi vehemently condemned the Assam government’s alleged decision to strip the name of former President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed from the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital located in Barpeta. He labeled this action as a profound disrespect to a revered Assamese figure and freedom fighter.

In a statement shared on social media, Gogoi voiced his apprehension regarding this choice, claiming it diminishes the legacy of one of Assam’s most esteemed personalities.

He highlighted that Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was not only a celebrated freedom fighter but also the first Assamese individual to hold the office of the President of India.

Ahmed, who was the fifth President of India from 1974 until his passing in 1977, is honored for his significant contributions to the nation and for representing Assam at the pinnacle of the constitutional framework.

Gogoi remarked that the removal of his name from the Barpeta Medical College prompts serious inquiries regarding the justification behind the government’s decision. "The Assam government’s choice to eliminate Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed's name from the Barpeta Medical College is extremely regrettable and profoundly offensive to the feelings of the Assamese people," he stated.

He further insinuated that this maneuver could be politically charged and questioned whether the state government is engaging in divisive politics for electoral advantages.

According to the Congress leader, such actions jeopardize the legacy of prominent Assamese figures who have made substantial contributions to the nation.

Gogoi emphasized that this decision not only disrespects a former President but also undermines the achievements of a notable freedom fighter and a distinguished son of Assam who served the country honorably.

He called on the state government to rethink this action, urging the authorities to preserve the name of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed for the Barpeta Medical College. He underscored that it is a collective duty of the people of Assam to honor the contributions of remarkable personalities from the state and to safeguard their legacies.

Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the cabinet's decision to rename the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, stating that the change was made to ensure consistency in the naming conventions of government medical colleges across the state.

CM Sarma explained that the majority of state-run medical colleges in Assam are named after their geographical locations, and the decision aimed to align the Barpeta institution with that pattern. This development followed a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, during which the Assam government approved the renaming of the college located in the Barpeta district.