The West Bengal government will set up a university named after Matua community founders Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur as a mark of tribute to the sect leaders, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Thursday. Harichand Thakur, a Hindu monk, is known to have worked for uplifting the untouchables in Bengal. He founded the Matua sect, mostly comprising members of the Namasudra community. After his death, one of his sons, Guruchand Thakur, helped in organising the sect and its people.

"We have already set up a college named after PR Thakur (another stalwart in the community). Now, we have decided to set up a university named after Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur, an 8.8 acre land for which has been identified at Chandpara in North 24 Parganas," Banerjee said. Matua Sangha has always worked for the welfare of the poor, the CM said at a function here to observe the birth centenary of the community's present matriarch Binapani Thakur, popularly known as 'Boro Maa'.