101 former secretaries condemn vandalism of Bangabandhu’s sculpture

One hundred and one former secretaries of the Bangladesh Government have condemned and protested against the vandalism of the sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hurling of insults at him.

Singed by AKM Shamim Chowdhury, former press secretary to the prime minister and former chief information officer, a joint statement by the 101 former top bureaucrats of the country reads, "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the father of our nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all time."

We find Bangabandhu in every vibe of independent Bangladesh. Another name of our existence is Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu, Liberation War and Bangladesh are the same entity. Insulting Bangabandhu is tantamount to insulting the independent and sovereign Bangladesh."

The statement also says, "Recently, we have noticed with deep concern that a selfish, communal fundamentalist and the extremist militant group is creating confusion among people by making provocative statements against Bangabandhu's sculpture and is trying to desecrate his sculpture."

"Not only that, they have vandalised the under-construction sculpture of the Father of the Nation in Kushtia, which is not only presumptuous but also a sign of treason."

"We believe this communal fundamentalist and the extremist militant group is an accomplice of the assassins of 1975. We demand immediate and appropriate punishment of the terrorists involved in these heinous and barbaric acts. At the same time, we call for the eradication of fundamentalism, which is openly against sculpture and cultural freedom."

The statement further says on the centenary of Bangabandhu's birth and the 50th anniversary of the country's liberation, such anti-liberation, anti-cultural and anti-state activities of extremist forces were a deliberate attempt to disrupt Bangladesh's continued progress.

The former secretaries have expected a conscious role of all the citizens of Bangladesh along with the strict stance of the government in this regard.

The right hand, full face and part of the left hand of the sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which is under construction in Kushtia town, were recently broken.