Nizam's kin opposes renaming of library

Hyderabad: The kin of Nizam VII, known for establishing the world-class university named after him about a century ago, have decided to take a legal course over the decision of changing the library name from Osmania University Library to 'Bharath Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar Library' on May 14.

The great grandson of VII Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur (who also served as Raj Pramukh, after merger in Indian Union), Mirza MohibBaig held that the decision to rename the library does not follow the norms and procedures laid down by the law, hence he would be knocking on the doors of court by filing a writ petition opposing the decision in the court.

"A legal notice to the Vice Chancellor Osmania University, Registrar Osmania University, Director Academics Osmania University was already sent through my counsel against renaming the Library. I have also given a representation to the Governor and the Chief Secretary. How can you change name of Library, which is part of the University established by the great visionary of his times?" he asked.

MohibBaig argued that the VII Nizam who promoted education and invited various scholars and also collected thousands of books from different parts of the world established separate library named as Osmania University library.

For about a century, the library has been named as Osmania University Library. "Renowned scholars got educated and benefited from the Osmania University Library and Osmania University produced world renowned Scholars and those people contributed for betterment of society," he noted.

Alleging that the decision was kept away from the public domain, he said that none was aware of this until it was made public on May 6 by the University authorities. "I greatly respect Dr B R Ambedkar for his contributions, but it is very surprising to me that the signs and name of the person who established the University and Library were slowly being removed and being substituted with other names. These developments hurt the sentiments of family whose contributions are being erased slowly," he added.

This step follows removal of Urdu from emblem and university. Following merger of Hyderabad State into India, the original emblem was altered by removing the Nizam's crown at first, but many scholars raised objections after Urdu inscriptions were slowly removed from the emblem.Moreover the university witnessed Urdu vanishing from its day to day affairs, though it was the first University to start courses in Indian languages.

Representing the emotions of the Nizam's kin, he said that entire family is seriously offended earlier following the change in Emblem, where the original Urdu words were removed from Logo and believe that there was serious conspiracy to undermine the contributions of the last Nizam. "I suggested that let the Library name continue to be Osmania University Library and the new branch of library be opened in the name of Dr B R Ambedkar Library and Research Centre.

Without discussing and without following the procedure laid down by the Law, some groups have taken unilaterally decisions simply replacing the name of Osmania University Library. Itwill hurt the sentiments and degrade the dignity of the VII Nizam Nawab late Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur and also insult the efforts made by the person for promoting better education for the nation during his lifetime," MohibBaig added.