Prominent Bangladeshi Figures Demand Restoration of Vandalized War Hero Statue in Jhenaidah
Thirty-nine prominent citizens, including academics, human rights activists, and writers, have issued a joint statement condemning the attempted destruction of a monument dedicated to Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman in Jhenaidah. The signatories are demanding the immediate restoration of the statue and legal action against those responsible for the vandalism of liberation war monuments across the country.
The list of signatories includes notable figures such as rights activist Sultana Kamal, economist and former Jahangirnagar University professor Anu Muhammad, Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, and photographer Shahidul Alam. The group also features a wide array of academics from the University of Dhaka, including professors from the departments of law, sociology, anthropology, and mass communication and journalism, alongside representatives from various civil society organizations.
The statement centers on the construction of the monument near the Jhenaidah central bus terminal, which remained incomplete after being targeted by anti-liberation elements following the events of August 5, 2024. The signatories expressed deep indignation over the local administration’s decision to dismantle the structure under what they described as a "flimsy pretext" without any public consultation or dialogue with the martyr’s family or local stakeholders.
Describing the administration’s actions as "irresponsible and deeply offensive," the group rejected the official justification that the removal was necessary to prevent potential accidents. They argued that the failure to protect or repair the tribute to a national hero constitutes a direct affront to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation War.
The statement concludes with an urgent call for the state to restore the monument to its original site with full dignity. Furthermore, the signatories urged authorities to take swift legal action against all individuals involved in the recent wave of vandalism targeting symbols of Bangladesh’s independence, emphasizing the need for the state to actively preserve the legacy of the nation's liberation struggle.
