Protests against baul monument removal continue

Numerous organisations across the country on Sunday went out on demonstrations condemning the removal of the monument of baul sculptures in the airport crossing in Dhaka and demanding rebuilding of the monument.
The Conscious Artistes’ Society, a platform of sculptors, painters, singers and artistes, on Sunday demanded formation of a national committee to work out a policy to place similar sculptures across the country.
They made the demand as the platform began a two-day cultural programme at Bakultala at the fine arts faculty at Dhaka University in protest against the removal of the baul sculptures.
Songs were sung in the cultural programme, the theme of which was ‘Ensure free atmosphere for study of arts and culture.’
Singer Krishnakali read out a statement of the society, in which she said, ‘We strongly protest against the removal of the baul sculptures in response to the pressure of the fundamentalists. But we do not only want re-installation of the sculptures, but also want a national committee to deal with the installation of sculptures.’
Sculptor Moniruzzaman later said, ‘The fundamentalist forces have long been launching attacks on the culture.’
‘The recent removal of the baul sculptures is not an isolated event. A political game may have been played behind the scenes. Why did the incident take place at a time when the whole nation was preparing for the general elections and the restitution of democracy?’ he said.
Another sculptor, Shawon Akand, said, ‘Sculptures are installed haphazardly at the whim of whoever is in power. This should not be so. There must be a specific guideline on sculpture installation.’
He also blamed the interim government for siding with the fundamentalist forces, saying, ‘The role of the government in the removal of baul sculptures is lamentable.’
‘The ultra-religious forces launched one attack after another on our culture and heritage, but governments remained silent,’ said Anusheh.
Charan Sangskritik Kendra at a news briefing at the central Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal office on Sunday condemned the removal of baul sculptures and demanded punishment of the Muslim bigots who forced the government to dismantle the sculptures.
The organisation will also go out on demonstrations across the country on October 23 and form a human chain in Muktangan in Dhaka to push for the re-installation of the sculptures.
The New Age correspondent in Rajshahi said 107 teachers of Rajshahi University in a statement issued on Sunday demanded re-installation of the sculptures.
The correspondent at Chittagong University said the leaders and activists of left-leaning student organisations based in the university, under the banner of Progressive Students’ Alliance, protested against the removal of sculptures.
They brought out processions and formed a human chain in the university station area at around 12:30pm, demanding immediate re-installation of the sculptures.
The New Age correspondent in Barisal said several political and socio-cultural organisations, including the Barisal Reporter’s Unity, Sangskritik Sangathan Samanway Parishad, Group Theatre Federation and BM College Journalists’ Association condemned the removal of the sculptures and the bigot’s hatred of the Bengali culture and tradition.
Students’ organisations such as the Bangladesh Chhatra League, Chhatra Maitree, Chhatra Union and Pragatishil Chhatra Oikya went out on demonstrations, held rallies and brought out processions on the BM College campus in Barisal.
The New Age correspondent in Khulna said various organisations in the city protested against the removal of the sculptures and demanded immediate reinstallation of them.