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Photo: Founding President of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sources close to the party said that demands by some Islamist parties to stop the construction of a sculpture of the founding president of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, have embarrassed the ruling Awami League and the government. Meanwhile, Awami League secretary general and minister Obaidul Quader said Tuesday that the government was monitoring the matter.
Many analysts have said that they are now attacking Sheikh Mujib’s sculpture, taking advantage of the Awami League’s policy of engagement with various religious parties or organizations. Which they think is embarrassing for the Awami League.
The government has decided to build a sculpture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Dholaipar intersection in southern Dhaka. But a few days ago, several Islamist groups demonstrated in the area. These groups have called Sheikh Mujib’s sculpture an ‘idol’ and threatened to crack down if its construction is not stopped.
In such a context, however, some related organizations of the Awami League have protested in different places and one or two leaders of the Awami League have spoken like them. But the government or the Awami League have yet to release an official statement.
Awami League Secretary General and Minister Obaidul Quader was also cautious when speaking to journalists on Tuesday. He simply said that the government was monitoring the situation.
Many analysts close to the party believe that the Awami League’s cautious stance is raising many questions even after the Sheikh Mujib sculpture was hit.
Dhaka University professor Zeenat Huda said: “Bangabandhu raised the issue of secularism in the context of strong currents. He raised the issue of independent and sovereign Bangladesh. I think so.”
Many analysts again find the situation uncomfortable or embarrassing for the Awami League. They said that the Awami League’s alliance with Hefazat-e-Islam and their commitment to religious parties or various organizations, with this opportunity they are addressing the sensitive issue of the Awami League.
Jobaida Nasrin, a professor at Dhaka University, said: ‘The Awami League is responsible for the situation. It seems to me that the Awami League has brought Islamic parties to the stage by exposing that now the snake has entered the Awami League’s own home.
He added: “The reason the Awami League has given the go-ahead is to use votes and religion to maintain their strong position. The Awami League is now suffering the most to occupy that place. They cannot digest, they cannot barf “.
Analysts also say that opposition to sculpture is not new in Bangladesh. Even three years ago, in 2016, a sculpture in the form of a Greek goddess was erected in the premises of the Supreme Court in Dhaka. The sculpture was removed in the face of opposition from various Islamist groups, including Hefazat-e-Islam.
Photo: Sculpture in the form of a Greek goddess at the Supreme Court premises in Dhaka in 2016. It was later removed in the face of opposition from various Islamist groups, including Hefazat-e-Islam.
Amir Syed Rezaul Karim, one of the Islamist groups opposing the construction of the sculpture at Sheikh Mujib in Dhaka’s Dholaipar, said that the Awami League had promised not to do anything against Islamic law. “In the manifesto that our prime minister issued before the elections, he said that he would not pass any anti-Sharia laws and would not take any action against Sharia,” he said.
He refuses to accept any distinction between sculpture and sculpture. “Sculpture and idols are one and the same. Since Islamic law does not support it, we have protested against it. We have also said that the role or contribution of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Bangabandhu in the independence of Bangladesh is a matter of prayer and forgiveness of his soul. ” If you can build a minaret with 99 names of Allah or such a monument, then the hyssop will continue to reach your soul through it. “
There has been an angry reaction among the leaders and activists of the Awami League over such statements by some Islamist parties. In several districts, including Bogra, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Comilla, the idea of talking to some party leaders has been found.
They also believe it has upset the leadership of their team. They hope that the government and the Awami League must take a firm stand.
The member of the presidium of the Awami League policy-making forum and chief minister, Dr. Abdur Razzak, said the issue was also discussed at a high level in his party. “We respect all religions equally. There is no opportunity to judge it from a religious point of view. It is an art. We do not think the government will feel ashamed.” Or religiously misunderstood, that would not be right. “
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