Hasina graffiti removal in DU sparks protests, apology follows
It was decided that the university administration will preserve all forms of graffiti
A graffiti of Sheikh Hasina, labelled "Monument of Hate", on a Metro pillar near Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) was removed on Saturday (28 December) night.
Upon discovering the removal, students gathered in the spot, near Raju Sculpture at midnight and protested after learning the act was permitted by the university's proctorial team. They demanded DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed's resignation over the matter.
The protest began around 2:30am and lasted until 4:30am on Sunday (29 December).
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Yusuf Ahmed, an official from the Metro Rail project, confirmed that the university administration had authorised the removal.
Around 3:30am, Proctor Saifuddin arrived on the scene and told students that when intelligence agencies sent some images of the university to a ministry concerned, the images of Sheikh Mujib and Sheikh Hasina were included.
"The ministry questioned why these images should remain, and the university's estate officer instructed the Metro Rail to remove the graffiti."
Students were outraged by his explanation. In response, the proctor said it was a mistake by the proctorial team.
Later, the DU proctor office issued a notice, stating that they have made an unintentional mistake by giving permission for removal of the graffiti. "We sincerely apologise for this. We promise to be more careful in this regard in the future."
The DU authority has also decided to declare pillar-541 of Metro stood right behind the Raju Sculpture, embodying the tainted graffiti of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina as the hate stone as it preserves a sign of hate of people toward fascism and fascist ruler, reports BSS.
