There is a century old marble plaque in front of the registrar’s office with the beautiful banyan tree logo carved in relief and the motto engraved below. Over the years, the actual banyan tree may have shrivelled but the motto lives on – Quot Rami Tot Arbores. It translates into ‘as many branches, so many trees’. Now, not only are these branches being cut, but also the very existence of the tree is being threatened by the government.

It has been proposed to change the name of University of Allahabad (informally known as Allahabad University) to Prayagraj University.

Allahabad University was the first residential university in British India and is the fourth oldest university in the country. It has a glorious list of alumni who have been change makers, both at the national and international level. That one President, three Prime Ministers, two Chief Justices, literary gems like Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Mahadevi Verma, reformers like Madan Mohan Malviya, Gobind Ballabh Pant and hundreds of other internationally known scientists, historians, philosophers and illustrious civil servants walked the same halls; gives everyone associated to the university a great sense of pride. Even though it is through an institution.

The reference to Allahabad University can be traced back to the 1860s when William Muir first spoke about setting up a university in the city. You can hear and read references to the university in recorded history, interviews, written texts, and stories; especially when modern India was being put together. How can one retain this emotional connect, if the name change happens? With the next generation, it will be lost forever.

If you change a name, you lose a part of history.

One can question the need for this change when there are greater challenges facing us. We remain a poor country with many hungry mouths to feed. The current global health crisis has created further challenges and the economic outlook remains unclear. As a developing and populous country, we have limited funds. Does it make economic sense to divert funds, time, and energy to changing the name of an old educational institution when it can be used to impact poverty and hunger?

If you change a name, you divert funds away from the poor

The government has undertaken many initiatives to develop the country and leave a lasting legacy. However discussion on the ground tends to get polarised along religious lines.The government should be careful about this, as it moves the conversation away from the good work they might be doing. Changing the name of Allahabad University is likely to incite passionate discussions and religious hatred. Is this the legacy the government wants to leave behind?

If you change a name, you leave a wrong legacy

If you change a name, you encourage religious hatred

My father has been closely associated with the University. My glorious childhood in Allahabad involved scooter rides to the university for many reasons like watching Charlie Chaplin movies at the history department or to shake hands with Amitabh Bachchan at the press building or to look for mementos in a pile of tiles being hacked off the Vijayanagaram dome. With the name change, a part of me will be gone forever. How can I relate to Prayagrag University when I can’t even relate to Prayagraj?

I am sure the rest of you will have your own precious memories of your days at the university. Over course of time, memories become part of your identity and who you are.

If you change a name, you lose part of your personal identity.

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Please SIGN and SHARE this petition, if you support the cause.

To the government, I appeal to STOP this name change process for Allahabad University with immediate effect.