Anti-Sculpture Campaign: Govt warns of tough action

The government appears to have taken a tough stance against those opposing installation of Bangabandhu's sculpture after an under-construction sculpture of the Father of the Nation was vandalised in Kushtia on Saturday.

Several senior ministers yesterday issued warnings, saying those involved in the vandalism of Bangabandhu's sculpture will face stern action. Law enforcers have already arrested four persons in this connection.

Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations held protests across the country against Saturday's incident.

They demanded that the government take tough action against the perpetrators who acted against the country's constitution and the spirit of the Liberation War.

Different pro-Liberation War forces and political organisations have been criticising the government for its "lenient attitude" towards Hefajat-e-Islam and a few other Islamist organisations that recently opposed installation of Bangabandhu's sculpture in the capital's Dholaipar terming it anti-Islamic.

Talking to journalists at his office at the Secretariat yesterday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the government would not allow anyone to create anarchy in the country in the name of opposing installation of Bangabandhu's sculpture.

Without mentioning the name of Hefajat-e-Islam, he said, "We won't let anyone create anarchy. If they think they are very powerful, they are wrong."

In reply to a query whether the government will review its decision to install Bangabandhu's sculpture at Dholaipar, the minister said, "It is the government's jurisdiction whether it will review its decision or not. Our job is to maintain law and order. I will take necessary measures to ensure that."

The minister said sculptures of Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta are seen in different Muslim countries, and no one is vandalising those.

"We have been saying that the sculptures are not meant for worshipping. These are for preserving his [Bangabandhu's] memory."

Asked about the protection of sculptures all over the country, the home boss said they are taking the issue very seriously.

At a virtual meeting of Narsingdi district AL, the party's General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the desecration of Bangabandhu's sculpture in Kushtia was an unforgivable crime.

Issuing a warning to the fundamentalist groups, he said, "A lot has happened… stop now.

"I have kept our leaders and activists under control up till now. If there are any excesses, the Awami League activists will not sit idle at home."

Display and preservation of the portrait of the Father of the Nation are protected by the country's constitution, Quader noted.

"Disrespect for Bangabandhu's sculpture means disrespect for the constitution… Whoever is involved in this [vandalism of Bangabandhu's sculpture] must be punished."

Bangabandhu means the existence and independence of the country and desecration of his sculpture means an attack on the spirit of the Liberation War, he added.

Quader called upon the pro-liberation forces to unite against the evil communal forces.

In the meantime, the parliamentary standing committee on the Liberation War affairs ministry asked the authorities concerned to bring to justice all those involved in vandalising Bangabandhu's sculpture.

At a meeting of the committee at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said those who were responsible for this would not be spared, according to meeting sources.

Talking to reporters at his office at the Secretariat, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam said the perpetrators have to face stern action.

The government is cautiously monitoring the situation, he added.

PROTESTS

Bangladesh Chhatra League yesterday staged demonstrations on the Dhaka University campus, protesting the Kushtia incident.

Hundreds of BCL leaders and activists gathered at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) and chanted slogans, demanding arrest and exemplary punishment to all those involved in the incident.

BCL units in various parts of the country also held protests and made the same demands.