Writ filed seeking directives to ensure safety of Bangabandhu’s sculptures

A writ petition has been filed at the High Court (HC) seeking directives to take proper measures to ensure the safety of all sculptures in the country, including the sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The writ also seeks directives to take measures to prevent any kind of anarchy and deterioration of law and order centred on the installation of Bangabandhu's sculptures.

The petition was filed on Sunday on behalf of Supreme Court lawyer Uttam Laheri, in the concerned branch of the HC, the day after the still-incomplete sculpture of Bangabandhu was vandalised in Kushtia.

Advocates Nahid Sultana Juthi and ABM Shahjahan Akand Masum represented the petitioner in the court.   

At the same time, instructions have been sought to take steps to increase public awareness about such sculptures. Besides, the writ also sought a rule in this issue. 

The HC bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Md Khairul Alam may hear the writ this week, said the lawyers.

The cabinet secretary, home secretary and other concerned people have been named defendants.

The lawyers for the writ petition said, "Bangabandhu has brought us freedom. He is a symbol of freedom. It is unthinkable that his sculpture will remain unprotected. In the writ, we have asked for instructions to ensure that all of Bangabandhu's sculptures are protected."

Last Friday, miscreants vandalised the sculpture of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, currently under construction at the Panch Rasta intersection in Kushtia.

The video footage shows that around 2:16 pm on Friday, two bearded individuals – attired in Punjabi and Paijama and tupi- climbed on to the sculpture and randomly vandalised it with iron rods or sticks.

They left the spot immediately after the incident.

Awami League leaders, activists and allies are furious about the incident and arranged nationwide processions demanding arrest of the perpetrators.