A civil society delegation has visited the site in Jhenaidah where the incomplete sculpture of Birsreshtha Hamidur Rahman was being removed. During the visit, the delegation paid tributes to the memory of Birshrestha by offering floral wreaths.
The six-member delegation from Dhaka arrived at the square adjacent to Jhenaidah Bus Terminal at 1pm on Thursday. Following a brief rally at the venue, they paid their respects at vandalised sculpture of Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman.
After their visit, the civil society delegation met with the deputy commissioner (DC). During the meeting, they demanded reconstruction of the sculpture in its former position and punishment for those involved in its vandalism.
Earlier, speakers at the brief rally at Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman Square included civil society delegation members – freedom fighter, senior journalist, writer, and Agradut Editor Abu Sayed Khan; former commissioner of Human Rights Commission and former member of Disappearance Commission Nur Khan Liton; professor of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, Robayet Ferdous; Chief Executive of Nagorik Uddyog Zakir Hossain; and teacher of Department of Economics at Islamic University, Farha Tanzim Titil, among others.
Speaking at the rally, Abu Sayed Khan said, “Those who are involved in vandalising the sculpture are clearly anti-liberation forces. Such an attack on national heroes will not be tolerated in any way, even after so many years of independence.”
“Yet, it is a matter of great regret that despite such a major incident, the administration has not been able to arrest anyone so far. We demand the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of the main perpetrators involved in this misdeed,” he added.
It has been said the removal of under-construction, incomplete square and sculpture of Birshrestha Hamidur Rahman at the entrance of Jhenaidah town began on 13 July.
Following news reports published in various media on the issue, which sparked countrywide discussions and criticism, the district administration suspended the removal work on 18 July.
