LAHORE:
The Punjab Assembly has rejected a resolution for the renaming of Kutchery Road after Dr GW Leitner, a British-Hungarian linguist who founded the Punjab University in the 19th Century.
Four resolutions were presented in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, a private members’ day which began at 11.18am. Minister for Special Education Asif Minhas took up questions about his department, after which the resolutions were presented and debated.
Sheikh Allauddin of the PML-N proposed that Kutchery Road, from the District Courts to Neela Gumbad, be renamed after Leitner in view of his services to education in the subcontinent. Members on both the opposition and treasury benches opposed it.
Allauddin said he could not understand why lawmakers ignorant of Leitner’s life and contributions were opposing the resolution. He said if they did not like ‘English’ names, they should not use ‘English’ medicine.
He said that Leitner, who was born in Hungry, had served as principal of Government College Lahore and had laid the foundation for the Punjab University. He had converted what had been a Sikh cantonment into Government College.
He said that Balak Ram Medical College had been renamed after Fatima Jinnah, even though she had had nothing to do with the college. Lawrence Gardens had been renamed Bagh-i-Jinnah, though the founder of the nation had played no part for the park. He said that he was relieved that Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, named after Balak Ram’s father, had not been renamed.
Allauddin said it was important that the identity of historical buildings and places be not just preserved, but honoured. Unfortunately, many historic places associated with historic figures had been renamed after locals with no connection to those places, he added.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, opposing the resolution, said that the British had subjugated and colonised the subcontinent and deserved no honour for this from Pakistan. He said that the British had come here to take the region’s wealth. He said places and buildings here had been renamed after Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his sister because of their role in the formation of the country.
The minister said that under the law, roads and squares in Lahore could be renamed after heroes who had fought and died for Pakistan or those who had played a part in its formation. If Allauddin did not like this, he should move an amendment to the law, he said. Leitner may have done good work in the subcontinent, but he had played no part in Pakistan’s creation, he said.
Allauddin said that Leitner may not have been a local, but he had served the city of Lahore. He said that the country and society appeared to have a problem with acknowledging the services of non-Muslims.
Dr Waseem Akhtar of Jamaat-i-Islami said that all English place and street names in the city should be replaced by Islamic names.
The house opposed Allauddin’s resolution with a majority.
Three other resolutions – for mandatory hepatitis vaccination of all children aged up to five, for local elections in cantonment areas, and for the setting up of shelter homes for beggars – passed successfully.
There were also heated exchanges in the assembly on Tuesday between the opposition and treasury benches over two incidents involving the press.
While Sanaullah demanded that the PTI turn over to the police two workers who allegedly assaulted media personnel covering their protest outside the assembly a day earlier, opposition members called for a resolution condemning the Balochistan government’s decision to lodge a criminal complaint against ARY, a television channel.
Speaker Rana Iqbal Khan adjourned the session till Wednesday morning.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
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Sir Allauddin Sahib - you are dealing with the fellows who even don't respect their parents leave alone great and noble people. That is why this country is hated by the world.
Totally agree with Allauddin sahib. Even in Singapore where the locals still loath the days of british raj. None of the streets, buildings or areas named after the British have been renamed. If somebody has made a contribution to something, his/her services should be acknowledged.
Just goes to show us as ignorant and communal to the core. Surely my saddest day.
I condemned the role of my party (PTI) they should not oppose this bill. Rana Sb is ready to take grant from same country which ruled this land but not ready to give credit to noblemen who played their part to raise this land, sad.
Using that same logic, we'd better rename Port Qasim since Mohammad Bin Qasim had nothing to do with the creation of Pakistan and had "subjugated and colonised the subcontinent". In fact, lets then rename Faisalabad, Qaddafi Stadium, Aitchison College, etc., as well.
I hope people of Punjab will reject such narrow Minded idiots next time. Both Jamaat I Islaami and PMLN have shown their true colors with this decision. While Germany can name their street for the honor of Mr Iqbal but we dont have the guts to name One street on the name of the Westerner who laid the foundation for Punjab University which later produced Three Noble Laureates. Most of the Best known Schools, colleges and hospitals were made by British and If Punjab government is so proud of themselves then they should raze all of the infrastructure made by British including FC Lahore and colleges like Athison etc..