Facing student demands, Rajshahi University (RU) authorities removed a billboard titled “Judicial Killing” and replaced it with a new one Monday morning.
The billboard, displayed near Paris Road on Sunday, sparked outrage among the students and leaders of left‑leaning organisations. It had been erected under the banner of NovoCulture, a group led by RU Central Students’ Union (Rucsu) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar.
The billboard featured images of Delawar Hossain Sayedee, Mir Quasem Ali, Motiur Rahman Nizami, Abdul Quader Mollah, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, and Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury — all executed after being convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
On Sunday afternoon, leftist leaders and a section of students demanded removal of the billboard. When the deadline passed without action, protesters staged a sit‑in in front of the administration building with three demands. The demands include removal of the billboard, accountability for the incident, and disclosure of those responsible.
Later that night, protesters met with the vice‑chancellor. The meeting decided that the objectionable images would be removed or covered. In line with that decision, the administration took down the billboard and installed a new one on Monday morning.
Sadeq Rahman, a student of the Department of Theatre, said, “The war criminals’ photos have been removed. This is a victory for our movement.”
Fuad Ratul, convener of the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, said, “Any attempt to portray the killers and collaborators of ’71 as normal figures under the guise of cultural programmes contradicts the spirit of the state.”
Announcing suspension of the protest, Al Shahriar Shuvo, general secretary of the RU branch of the Students’ Rights Council, said, “After several rounds of discussion, the administration accepted our demands. Therefore, we have withdrawn the movement.”
He added, “It is unacceptable to display collaborators’ images beside the grave of martyr Shamsuzzoha. By putting up war criminals’ photos under the banner of NovoCulture, there was an attempt to normalise their crimes something we will never accept.”
RU Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman said, “The poster was causing unrest among students. After discussions, the images that drew objections have been removed.”
