DU apologises for erasing Hasina's smeared graffiti

A graffiti of Sheikh Hasina was removed from a metro rail pillar near Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) early today.

The graffiti symbolised public outrage over lives lost during anti-Hasina protests.

In the wake of widespread outrage among students and the public over its erasure, Dhaka University authorities have issued an apology and announced that they will officially declare the pillar and graffiti as "Monument of Hate" following its restoration.

Students are now demanding the resignation of DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan and Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, accusing them of complicity in an attempt to erase the graffiti.

The image, located on a metro rail pillar behind the Raju Memorial Sculpture, had become a symbol of public discontent with Sheikh Hasina's administration.

The artwork became a part of the July uprising and was seen as an emblem of resistance against fascism.

The controversy erupted early today when workers, aided by a crane, began repainting the pillar.

A DU press release later expressed regret over the incident, saying, "On the night of December 29, 2024, an attempt was made to erase graffiti on two metro rail pillars at DU, depicting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina in a hateful manner."

The university acknowledged that the erasure was an error by its proctorial team, apologising for the incident and pledging vigilance to prevent similar mistakes.

Despite the apology, students rejected the administration's response, staging protests since early morning and demanding the restoration of the graffiti in its original form.

A caricature of Sheikh Hasina, drawn by students later that night in the presence of the proctorial team, was also dismissed by the majority of students.

Various student organisations, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Jatiya Nagarik Committee, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, and Biplabi Chhatra Moitree joined the protests.

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED?

Students present during the incident said workers began repainting the graffiti at 3:00am, partially covering Hasina's image and repainting a nearby mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Confronted by students, the workers claimed they were hired by the metro rail authority with DU's permission.

Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, who arrived at the scene, initially said the directive came from an intelligence official. He later apologised, saying the remark was made under pressure.

The repainting has sparked strong reactions on social media, with student leader Umama Fatema calling the administration's actions "nonsense" and "silly."

Plans are now underway to restore the graffiti and preserve it as a monument to the public's resistance against authoritarianism, said authorities and students.