Bangabandhu's mural demolished in Sylhet

Leaders and activists of the Student Against Discrimination (SAD) demolished a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner's office in the Bandarbazar area of the city last night.

At around 9:50pm, protesters arrived in a procession with an excavator belonging to Sylhet City Corporation. Breaking through the main gate, they entered the premises and tore down the mural.

Earlier, the Sylhet district unit of the SAD had announced a protest rally and sit-in demonstration at 8:00pm in the Bandarbazar area. The demonstration was held in response to a scheduled address by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, marking six months since her government's fall.

The protesters also organised a daylong video exhibition in Sylhet city, displaying footage of killings, abductions, and repression during the July-August mass uprising.

At around 9:00pm, they brought the excavator from under the Keane Bridge to the Deputy Commissioner's office. By 9:50pm, they broke through the office's main gate and demolished the mural.

Asadullah Al Galib, convenor of the Sylhet district unit, said, "Killer Hasina fled to India through the back door after being chased by students and the masses. We reject her address. There will be no trace of fascists in this country, and we will remain vigilant."

The mural had previously been slightly vandalised on August 5 last year, following the fall of the Awami League government after a mass uprising. Authorities later covered it with white fabric. Then, on the night of January 30, a group under the banner of "Touhidi Janata" once again vandalised the mural.