BJP MLA demands Jadavpur University be renamed after Sri Aurobindo
Synopsis
A BJP MLA has demanded that Jadavpur University — one of West Bengal’s most prominent institutions — be renamed Sri Aurobindo University, invoking the philosopher’s role as the first Principal of its predecessor college. The call, made on campus alongside ABVP-organised events, adds a sharp political edge to an institution already at the centre of Bengal’s culture wars.
Key Takeaways
BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee demanded on 3 September that Jadavpur University be renamed Sri Aurobindo University .
Sri Aurobindo was the first Principal of the Bengal National College , the predecessor institution to Jadavpur University.
Mukherjee proposed submitting a mass petition to the West Bengal Higher Education Department , the Chief Minister , and the Union Education Minister .
Events on campus were organised by the ABVP and Haripada Bharati Smriti Raksha Samiti , featuring flag marches, Vande Mataram, and Vedic chants.
No formal petition has been submitted yet; the demand remains at the public mobilisation stage.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sarbori Mukherjee on Thursday, 3 September demanded that Jadavpur University in Kolkata be renamed Sri Aurobindo University, arguing the institution must embody the ideals of its historical founding figure. The demand was made directly on the university campus during events organised by student and cultural bodies.
The Demand and Its Basis
Sarbori Mukherjee, the BJP member of the Jadavpur Assembly constituency, told the gathering that Sri Aurobindo was the first Principal of the Bengal National College, which subsequently evolved into Jadavpur University after Indian Independence. She argued that renaming the institution would be a matter of pride for Jadavpur and would honour its foundational legacy.
Mukherjee proposed that a mass petition be submitted to the West Bengal Higher Education Department, the Chief Minister, and the Union Education Minister to formalise the renaming demand. She called for unity among supporters to push the proposal forward.
What Was Said on Stage
Addressing the gathering, Mukherjee made pointed remarks about the political climate in West Bengal, asserting that recent electoral developments had created space for open expressions of nationalism. She warned that those who speak against nationalism would face continued protests.
In her address, she said: “All Hindus came together and hoisted the victory flag. If the result (Assembly polls) had been a little different, then the entire West Bengal would have witnessed a massacre in Jadavpur. I take responsibility for saying this. My words will be distorted again. I will be criticised. Criticise me as much as you want. I will say one thing from the stage: if you speak against nationalism, then there will be protests.”
She also claimed that a different outcome in the recent Assembly elections could have triggered unrest, and stated that Maoist and Left ideologies were being actively opposed.
Programme Details
The events were organised on campus by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Haripada Bharati Smriti Raksha Samiti. Activities included a march with the national flag, recitation of Vande Mataram, display of portraits of noted scholars, and Vedic chanting.
Historical Context
Sri Aurobindo’s connection to Jadavpur University traces back to the early twentieth century, when the Bengal National College was established as a nationalist educational alternative during the Swadeshi movement. Aurobindo served as its first Principal before departing for Pondicherry, where he later became a prominent philosopher and spiritual leader. The college’s eventual transformation into Jadavpur University gave the institution its current identity, though the founding chapter remains relatively understated in its official branding.
What Comes Next
No formal petition has yet been submitted, according to available reports. Mukherjee’s call for a mass signature campaign suggests the demand is currently at a mobilisation stage rather than a formal legislative or administrative proposal. Whether the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal would entertain such a petition remains to be seen, given the sharp political divide between the two parties on questions of institutional identity and nationalism.
Point of View
Long associated with Left-leaning academic culture, is a pointed target. What is notable is the venue: making the demand on campus, flanked by ABVP mobilisation, is designed to shift the Overton window on what is sayable inside the institution itself. Whether it gains traction depends on whether the BJP can build cross-party pressure, which, given the TMC’s dominance in West Bengal, looks unlikely in the near term. The more consequential question is whether such demands gradually normalise institutional renaming as routine political currency.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BJP MLA Sarbori Mukherjee demanding the renaming of Jadavpur University?
Mukherjee argues that Jadavpur University should be renamed Sri Aurobindo University to honour Sri Aurobindo, who served as the first Principal of the Bengal National College — the institution that later became Jadavpur University. She contends the renaming would reflect the university’s true founding legacy.
What is Sri Aurobindo’s connection to Jadavpur University?
Sri Aurobindo was the first Principal of the Bengal National College, established during the Swadeshi movement as a nationalist educational alternative. That college eventually evolved into Jadavpur University after Indian Independence, making Aurobindo a foundational figure in the institution’s history.
Who organised the campus events where the demand was raised?
The events were organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Haripada Bharati Smriti Raksha Samiti. Activities included a national flag march, Vande Mataram recitation, display of scholars’ portraits, and Vedic chanting.
How does Mukherjee plan to pursue the renaming demand?
She has called for a mass petition to be submitted to the West Bengal Higher Education Department, the Chief Minister, and the Union Education Minister. As of the latest reports, no formal petition has been filed; the campaign is at the public mobilisation stage.
What was the political context of Mukherjee’s remarks?
Mukherjee linked the renaming demand to broader comments about nationalism, claiming recent Assembly election results had enabled open expressions of nationalist sentiment in West Bengal. She also made remarks warning that opposition to nationalism would face protests, which she acknowledged could draw criticism.
