Days after the mural at the Liberation War Memorial Mancha in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh, was covered with cloth on Independence Day, sections of it was demolished by order of local authorities.
Workers told local media they were carrying out the demolition under the directive of the Lalmonirhat deputy commissioner.
Earlier, at around 10:30 am on Saturday, Md. Hamidur Rahman, member secretary of the Lalmonirhat District unit of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, gave a 48-hour ultimatum during a press conference to remove “all murals of autocrats”.
Deputy Commissioner HM Rakib Haidar had told journalists a few days ago, as reported by local Dhaka Tribune quoting UNB, “The mural has been covered because it does not align with the spirit of the July Revolution.”
The mural depicted key moments from Bangladesh’s history, including the 1950s language movement, the iconic March 7 speech, the War of Independence, the formation of the Mujibnagar government, the birth of the independent nation, the 1971 genocide, the triumph of freedom fighters, the seven great heroes, the surrender of the Pakistani army, and other significant historical events.
Protests
Transparency International Bangladesh said it will protest the act.
Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo quoted Socheton Nagorik Samaj Area Coordinator Md. Morshed Alam as saying: “We protested against the mural being covered with cloth before. Now, we are hearing the news of demolishing the mural. It is sad. We will protest this officially.”
Widespread Condemnation
A few days ago, The Sachetan Nagorik Committee and various political and social organizations staged a protest after the mural was covered with sheets, according to a Dhaka Tribune report.
DT quoted Captain (Retd) Azizul Islam, Bir Protik, president of Sachetan Nagorik Committee as saying: “This mural is a sequential record of our history. Covering it is deeply saddening.”
Shafiqul Islam Kanu, president of the Lalmonirhat unit Shujan (Sushaner Jonno Nagarik) said: “This is a shameless interference in the history of the nation. I strongly denounce and protest against it.”
Sufi Mohammad, general secretary of the Sommilito Sangskritik Forum, said: “If the mural is outdated, it can be renovated. But covering it with fabric is an act resembling a circus.”
Supendra Nath Dutta, vice president of Sachetan Nagorik Committee said: “Concealing the contributions and history of freedom fighters means denying their sacrifices. This goes against the spirit of independence and the Liberation War.”
Poet Helal Hossain Kabir said: “If a fascist government is removed and the country is run by fascist bureaucrats instead, expecting anything better from them is foolish. I strongly condemn this incident.”
