PM orders renaming of 2 Bogura unions following controversy over names linked to State Minister Shahe Alam's sons

The government has initiated steps to rename two newly created unions in Bogura following an instruction from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman amid controversy over allegations that the unions (Shimanto and Diganta) were named after the sons of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.

Speaking to The Business Standard today (19 June), Bogura Deputy Commissioner Md Taufiqur Rahman said he had received a verbal directive from the prime minister to begin the renaming process.

However, he added that no written order has yet reached the district administration.

He noted that administrative procedures will move forward based on the instruction, even as formal documentation is awaited. "Perhaps a letter will come, but since the instruction has been given, we will begin the process," he said.

The deputy commissioner further said fresh public hearings will be conducted in the concerned unions before any final decision is made.

"The respective upazila nirbahi officers will hold new public hearings. Dates will be set again for the unions where name changes are under consideration. Everyone will be invited, and the names that emerge from the hearings will likely be finalised," he added.

The controversy centres on three newly formed unions created under a gazette notification issued on 11 June following administrative reorganisation in Shibganj and the newly established Mokamtala upazila.

The restructuring created four new unions: Mirbari, Shimanto, Diganta and Swarnagram.

Local residents alleged that Mirbari was named after the state minister's ancestral homestead, while Shimanto and Diganta share the names of his two sons, Mir Shakrul Alam Shimanto and Mir Saklain Alam Diganta.

The issue gained prominence because the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009 prohibits naming a union parishad after any living or deceased person, family or political leader.

The matter was raised in parliament earlier this week, where Shahe Alam denied allegations that the unions were named after his sons.

According to the minister, Shimanto Union was named because the area lies near the boundaries of Gabtali and Sonatala upazilas, while Diganta was chosen because of the area's distant location near Gaibandha.

"The names indeed happen to match those of my sons," he told parliament. "If I had intended to name the unions after them, the names would have been Mir Shimanto and Mir Diganta. The word 'Mir' is not there."

Despite the explanation, the issue continued to attract public attention and triggered debate both inside and outside parliament.