DU removes student-installed 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall' nameplate from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall
The Hadi name was never formally approved by the university; students installed the nameplate after his death, while the Senate later decided to retain the original names of university establishments.
Dhaka University administration today (30 September) began removing the 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall' nameplate from the main entrance of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and restoring a sign bearing the hall's original name.
The 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall' name had never been formally approved by the university. Students installed the nameplate themselves on 20 December last year, following the death of Osman Hadi, who had been shot and later died while undergoing treatment.
The removal of the nameplate began around noon today, and a new sign reading 'Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall' is being installed at the entrance.
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Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane said the move followed a decision taken by the university Senate.
"At the last Senate session, a decision was taken to retain the previous names of the establishments. That is now being implemented," he told The Business Standard.
University Acting Proctor Israfil Ratan said he had heard about the removal but that the Proctor's Office had not been informed by the hall administration.
"I sent the proctorial team to observe the matter. The hall administration may have taken the initiative on its own," he said.
Hall Provost Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman did not respond to multiple calls seeking comment.
Calls to rename the hall emerged after Hadi died on 18 December 2025 after being shot. Students subsequently removed the existing nameplate and installed one reading 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall' at the main entrance.
In January this year, the university's Syndicate recommended formally renaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall as 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Hall'. It also recommended renaming Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.
The recommendations, however, were not approved by the Syndicate and were instead sent to the Senate for a final decision.
At the university's annual Senate session on 29 June, the proposals were not approved. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam instead said the matter would be sent back to the Syndicate.
