Dhaka University's Central Students' Union (CFSU) recently reopened the institution's reorganised museum on Sunday, but the move has sparked a fresh wave of controversy after displays featuring photographs of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and newspaper clippings related to the political history of the subcontinent came under sharp criticism.
The museum, which had undergone a significant reorganisation over recent months, was reopened with a new exhibit showcasing historical documents, photographs, and archival materials tracing the complex political landscape of the region before and during the partition of British India in 1947. Among the displayed items were portraits and newspaper cuttings relating to Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, whose role in the creation of the two-nation theory remains a deeply contested topic in Bangladesh's historical narrative.
Student leaders from the CFSU defended the decision, stating that the exhibits were meant to present an honest and inclusive account of the region's shared history. They argued that removing or omitting key historical figures would amount to distorting the past and undermining the educational purpose of the university museum. "We are not promoting any ideology," one student representative said. "We are simply documenting history as it happened."
However, the display quickly drew ire from student groups and activists who view Jinnah's legacy through a different lens. Critics argued that showcasing his photographs in an academic institution in Bangladesh — a country that fought a war of independence partly in opposition to the two-nation theory — was inappropriate and insensitive. Some demanded the immediate removal of the images and an inquiry into those responsible for curating the exhibit.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension in Bangladesh between preserving a historically nuanced narrative and adhering to the official state perspective, which strongly emphasises the Bangladeshi liberation movement and the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Under the country's laws, anyone who supports or promotes the two-nation theory can face legal consequences.
University authorities have now launched an internal probe to assess whether the museum's curation violates any institutional guidelines or legal provisions. The situation is being watched closely by student bodies across the campus and beyond.
