Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said defamation of sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is the architect of independent Bangladesh, is a severe blow to the root of country’s spirit.
“The display and preservation of Bangabandhu’s portrait is a constitutionally statutory matter. So, defamation of Bangabandhu’s sculpture is tantamount to defamation of the constitution,” he said.
The Awami League leader came up with the statement while addressing an extended meeting of Narsingdi district unit of the party through a videoconference from his official residence in Dhaka, reports BSS.
The road transport and bridges minister said stern punitive actions will be taken against those who vandalised an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu in Kushtia.
“Vandalism of Bangabandhu’s sculpture is a severe offence that cannot be pardoned in any way. Those who are involved with the incident will be exposed to stern punitive actions by scrutinising the CCTV footage,” he said.
The minister said the government will not spare any derogatory comments, speeches and behaviours those will be conflicting with the country’s constitution and laws.
Quader said thousands of people got agitated over the incident of vandalism of Bangabandhu’s sculpture.
“We can perceive the emotions of the people. Awami League doesn’t carry out attack on anyone deliberately. But if it becomes victim of attack, it will not show any mercy in building strong resistance against the attackers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Awami League and its associate bodies on Sunday staged demonstrations against the vandalism of an under-construction sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Leaders and workers of AL and associate bodies took to streets at different places in the capital in protest against the domination of sculpture of Bangabandhu.
AL’s Dhaka city north unit staged a protest rally in Tejgaon area on Sunday afternoon. Different units of Dhaka south AL also brought separate processions and held rallies.
Bangladesh Chhatra League staged a massive demonstration at Raju Memorial Sculpture on Dhaka University campus.
Jubo Mohila League arranged a protest rally in front of AL’s central Bangabandhu Avenue office this afternoon.
Awami Jubo League’s Dhaka city south unit also staged a demonstration at Bangabandhu Avenue.