Fine artists and sculptors on Saturday constructed symbolic sculpture and painted satirical images of ‘fundamentalist evil forces’ protesting the opposition to constructing sculptures and vandalism of an under construction sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Kushtia.
They held their protest programme under the banner of Bikkhubdo Silpi Somaj (Agitated Artists’ Society’) on the premises of Central Shaheed Miner in the city while people from various classes and professions, including political and cultural personalities, took part in the programme expressing solidarity with the artists.
In the protest programme, the sculptors and artists made a symbolic sculpture of Bangabandhu and his index finger and symbolic sculpture in human belt while the fine artists drew a satirical picture of ‘fundamentalist evil forces’.
While addressing a discussion titled ‘Resist anti-Liberation War forces and bigoted fundamentalists’, Freedom fighter and cultural personality Nasir Uddin Yusuf Bachchu said, “We have constructed those symbolic sculptures which they opposed and tried to demolish. It is an artistic protest. We will resist them by forging unity on the basis of culture. “
“Sculpture is not just an art, it contains history and tradition. Those who are opposing sculpture are conspiring to erase our history and tradition and they are even against Bengali culture”, he added.
They are opposing the culture on which the nationalism is based on and even the great uprising led by Bangabandhu for country’s freedom was based on secularism, nationalism, socialism and equal rights of all people, language and culture, he furthered.
Cultural Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Ashim Kumar Ukil said the defeated forces of 1971 and anti-Liberation War forces who emerged under the political auspices of the religion traders Jamaat-Shibir Razakars, have started a new conspiracy by vandalising an under construction sculpture of Bangabandhu in the month of victory.
“They have created instability and unrest all over the country by spreading provocative remarks about religion. However, at any cost, we will uphold the nationalism and secularism of the Bengalis and thus, I have come to the side of these agitated artists with full solidarity from the Bangladesh Awami League,” he added.
Dean of DU Fine arts faculty Dr Nisar Hossen, Awami League joint general secretary Biswas Matiur Rahman Badsha, Awami Jubo League liberation war affairs secretary Golam Kibria Shamim, Joint Secretary of Jasod Central Committee Rokonuzzaman Rokon, member of Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee Dr. Mamun Al Mahtab, General Secretary of Gaurab 71 FM Shaheen, Artist Biren Som and Moniruzzaman, among others, addressed the programme.
