Reinstallation of sculptures demanded

Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism (SAPUFC) yesterday condemned the removal of five sculptures from the roundabout in front of Zia International Airport.
The authorities removed the sculptures on Wednesday in the face of protests by some Islamist groups.
In a statement, both the organisations demanded immediate reinstallation of the sculptures that reflect folk culture of the Bangalees and exemplary punishment to the fanatics. It also called on the progressive people of the country to raise their voice against such activities by the fundamentalists.
“We are observing that the present government is sheltering religious fundamentalists like the previous government,” it said.
The statement noted that fundamentalist groups have been giving threats to different progressive cultural activists for last two years but the government did not take any action against such attempts.
The country would turn into a mediaeval state if such situation continues and if the country becomes a safe haven for militants, it added.
The signatories to the statement include National Prof Kabir Chowdhury, anti-British movement veteran Binod Bihari Chowdhury, veteran woman leader Hena Das, advocate Gaziul Haq, Maj Gen (retd) CR Dutta, Kalim Sharafi, human rights leader Ajoy Roy, Prof Borhan Uddin Khan Jahangir, Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, journalist Kamal Lohani, Justice Gholam Rabbani, writer Hasan Azizul Haq, artist Kaiyyum Chowdhury, writer Syed Shamsul Haq, Lt Col (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, Prof Ajoy Roy, language movement veteran Abul Hossain, Prof Anupam Sen, Anwara Syed Haque, Prof Hamida Banu, writer and journalist Shahriar Kabir, Prof Razia Matin Chowdhury, artist Hashem Khan, artist Rafiqun Nabi, writer Rashid Haider, architect Rabiul Hussain, Prof Muntasir Mamun and women leader Ayesha Khanam.