In the wake of attacks on NCP’s rally venue in Gopalganj, a group of people impersonating them as ‘July Warriors’ removed images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from public monuments, including the iconic ‘Arjan’ sculpture commemorating the Liberation War in Rangpur on Thursday night.
At around 11:30pm Thursday, a group of protestors gathered at the Modern intersection where the ‘Arjan’ sculpture stands. Chanting slogans against Awami League, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, they used black spray paint to deface a portrait of Sheikh Mujib installed on the monument.
They arrived in a Rangpur City Corporation vehicle and later made celebrations after defacing the images.
Slogans such as ‘Bury Mujibism,’ ‘No place for Chhatra League,’ and ‘Awami League’s grave will be in every home’ echoed through the night.
On February 5 last, protestors also demolished Mujib murals at Rangpur Zilla School, Begum Rokeya University, and Carmichael College.
Similar acts occurred at the Rangpur District Council and various upazilas.
July activist Imran Ahmed said no symbols of the fascist regime will remain in Rangpur. Resistance will rise wherever fascism appears.
After the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, protesters covered Mujib’s image at the Arjan sculpture with the national flag.