Religious extremists demand demolition of memorable statues even related to the War of Independence

by G. C. Pramanik
October 23, 2008

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/116/religious-extremists-demand-demolition

Islami Ain Bastabayan Committee [Islamic law implementation committee] on 17th October at a press conference said sculptures and statues are against Islamic values and asked the government to remove all such statues. Failing of which, they threatened to take the matter in their own hands.

Demand to demolish all statues and sculptures even if those are dedicated to the war of independence have been made by them.

Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini, chairman of Islami Oikya Jote proclaimed in such style in fact being encouraged by the government's submission to their threat and removal of the five sculptures of BAULS.

In a Press Conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity Amini said the statues have seriously hurt the religious sentiment of Muslims. Amini also accused the present government of making an attempt to turn this country a country of IDOL worshippers. SHIKHA ANIRBAN [eternal flame], placed in Dhaka cantonment in memory of the 1971 war, was identified by the Mufti as Anti-Islamic.

According to the Mufti, during BNP period no such statues were erected where his party was a coalition partner. At a highly emotional moment the Mufti pronounced of building tough movement against such acts and said Martial Law or Emergency cannot stop them from carrying out demonstration etc.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Roads and Highways Department removed the sculptures of five BAULS, from the roundabout in front of Zia International Airport On September 15. Various cultural organizations and personalities strongly criticized the action. Academics, writers, students, painters, sculptors, performers, artistes and cultural activists again demanded re-installation of the Baul sculptures, created by artist Mrinal Huq, in front of the airport.

Muslim bigots in Barisal [a southern district] on 19th October demanded that the construction of a sculpture named Bijay Bihanga, or the BIRD OF VICTORY being set up in the city marking the liberation of Barisal from the Pakistani forces in 1971, should be immediately stopped. The bigots, in a statement signed by 101 leaders of Masjid-Madrassah-Khanqah Sangrakshan Committee, Imam Samiti, Qur'an Sangrakshan Committee, Islamic Constitution Movement, Mujahid Committee, Jamaat-e-Islami, Khelafat Majlis and other politico-religious organisations, announced that no idols in the name of sculpture could be constructed.

Serajul Islam Choudhury, a highly revered Professor of Dhaka University, said the fundamentalist bloc got the chance to dishonor the culture of the soil because no government in Bangladesh had tried the WAR CRIMINALS. Professor Chowdhury also warned, the dark forces have begun their battle to destroy our traditions by removing the statues, and if they are not stopped now they will attack all the cultural sites throughout Bangladesh.

Leaders of many cultural organizations said that they would wage a movement if the government did not re-install the sculptures immediately. They said it was alarming that the fundamentalists were attempting to destroy the country's culture and the government was supporting them clandestinely by fulfilling their irrational demands.

Dhaka University teachers and students under the banner of 'General Teachers and Students' held a rally at university premises. Around 500 teachers and students brought out a procession with a banner WE ARE ANGRY AT THE REMOVAL OF THE SCULPTURES.

Faculty of fine arts organized street painting in front of the faculty in the evening protesting the incident.

Removal of the BAUL sculptures is not an isolated event. Some doubt it to be a political game. Otherwise, why did the incident take place at a time when the whole nation is preparing for the general elections?

Protest against demolition and demand for re-installation is going on in all parts of the country especially in the universities, various educational and cultural institutions.

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