The Name Game: Government School In Bengal In Trouble For Using ‘Ishwarpur’ Instead Of ‘Islampur’ In Public Notice

The State government-run Saraswati Sishu Mandir recently found itself amidst controversy after it printed Islampur as Ishwarpur in its admission notice. The school, run by Vidya Bharati, is located in Bengal’s North Dinajpur district at Islampur’s Netaji Palli.

West Bengal Education Minister Partha Mukherjee questioned how could a school affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education change the name of its location from ‘Islampur’ to ‘Ishwarpur’. Speaking on the matter, he said, “I am aware about the matter and ordered a probe” reports News18.

To investigate further into the matter, a team of officials from West Bengal Board of Secondary Education visited the school and collected all the documents, including its affiliation letter from the principal of the school, Khudiram Rai.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad’s (ABVP) Bimal Das said, “We have decided to take the matter to Calcutta High Court because it is the matter of the future of several children who are studying in the school. How can the government take such a stand?”

He further added that the place is known as both Islampur and Iswarpur and that there are several places in Bengal where a place is known commonly by two names. Stating an example, he said, “In Malda district, there is a place called Gazole, which also known as Shivaji Nagar. This is quite common in rural Bengal. I do not know why people are trying to make it controversial”.

However, the President of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, Kalyanmoy Ganguly, refused to comment on the matter.