ZCZC
BSS-43
JU-TEACHERS-PROTEST-VANDALISM-BANGABANDHU-SCULPTURE
JU teachers protest against vandalism of Bangabandhu’s sculpture
SAVAR, Dec 8, 2020 (BSS)- Teachers of Jahangirnagar University (JU) today demonstrated on the campus protesting against the vandalism of an under-construction sculpture of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Kushtia.
Under the banner of “Bangabandhu Shikkhok Parishad”, the teachers brought out a procession from the university’s central shaheed minar premises around 10.30 am.
After parading different streets on the campus, the protest march ended at Dhaka-Aricha Highway adjacent to the university’s main gate followed by a human chain.
Speakers at the human chain urged the government to ensure exemplary punishment to the miscreants as early as possible. They also demanded the installation of a world-class sculpture of Bangabandhu at the university campus.
Addressing the human chain, Professor Dr. Sohel Ahmed of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department said, “The attack on the Bangabandhu sculpture at night reminds us of the black night of March 25 in 1971. Hitting the sculpture of Bangabandhu in the month of victory means hitting the Independence of the country. We all have to be united in the spirit of 1971 and have to work to protect the independence of the country.”
“Anti-independence forces are still carrying out their activities in the country. Those who do not recognize the architect of independence Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, have no right to stay in Bangladesh. We’ve to stand up against those who politicize religion in this country,” said Professor AA Mamun, president of Jahangirnagar University Teachers Association (JUTA).
Through a virtual connection, JU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Farzana Islam expressed solidarity with the human chain.
She said sculpture is a part of history, tradition, art and literature. The sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is a symbol of our freedom and consciousness. Vandalism of Bangabandhu’s sculpture means an attack on the independence and existence of Bangladesh. Those who have committed this heinous act must be given exemplary punishment. We will soon install a sculpture of Bangabandhu on our campus.
Conducted by general secretary of Bangabandhu Shikhhok Parishad Professor Dr. Bashir Ahmed, Director of Teacher-Student Center (TSC) Professor Dr. Mohammad Alamgir Kabir, Professor Dr. Jebunnessa, Acting Proctor ASM Firoz Ul Hasan, Assistant Proctor Mohibur Rouf Shaibal, spoke at the programme, among others.
Earlier on Last Saturday, amid growing opposition from some Islamist groups, including Hifazat-e Islam, to sculptures and statues, miscreants vandalised an under-construction sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Kushtia city.
The face and hands of the sculpture were damaged. The incident sparked protests across the country.
BSS/CORR/SSS/17354 hrs