DHAKA, Dec 9, 2020 (BSS)- Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the descendents of those who called the freedom fighters ‘kafers’ are now opposing the sculptures.
“The defeated forces of independence and the next generation of those who believe in their (defeated forces) ideology and policy don’t want the country to move ahead”, he said addressing a discussion at an auditorium of Jatiya Press Club in the city.
Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote (BSJ) organized the discussion marking the 81st birth anniversary of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani.
Paying rich tribute to Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani, Hasan said Mani was a farsighted leader and the founder Chairman of Jubo League and he played an outstanding role in the War of Liberation. Jubo League was formed under his leadership aimed to organize the freedom fighters who played a pivotal role in the Liberation War, he added.
He said Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani and his pregnant wife Begum Arju Mani were killed when Bangabandhu was assassinated on August 15, 1975.
The minister said the defeated forces of the independence gave fotwa that the freedom fighters who are fighting against Pakistan were kafers and it was against Iman to fight against Pakistan. They considered conspiracy to break up Pakistan was the same conspiracy against Islam, he added.
Even, they gave fotwa in favour of rapists that the women were the ‘gonimoter mal’ who were rapped during the Liberation War. The next generation of those who gave fotwas are giving speeches against sculptures and a vested group vandalized sculptures, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
He said there are many sculptures in the country for hundred years and many sculptures were made during the British period and Pakistan regime. After the independence, many sculptures were made as part of the history and heritage, he said, adding no one told about this that time.
But, he said, they are venting anger when the sculptures of Bangabandhu are being made at different places of the country.
He said Bangabandhu means Bangladesh, Bangabandhu means the Liberation War. The persons, who didn’t want Bangladesh, didn’t like Bangabandhu.
The minister said all of these are parts of conspiracies for implementing their ill attempts and everyone should realize it.
It would no longer be allowed in Bangladesh which achieved independence through the blood of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians.
Criticising a comment of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the sculpture issue, the information minister said their (BNP) issues are how to bring back convicted accused Tarique Rahman and how to release convicted Begum Khaleda Zia.
He said, “You (BNP) built sculptures of Ziaur Rahman across the country. Make clear your statements and give speeches against the ill forces. Why are you so ashamed of giving this statement? Otherwise, you will be identified as the patrons of these activities.”
Urging them to look into the Islamic world, Hasan said there is a museum of sculptures in Saudi Arabia. Even, there have many sculptures of horse, camels and others on the roads in Saudi Arabia, he added.
He said there are sculptures of administrators of kings in Arabian countries. “The mission head of United Arab Emirates told journalists after a meeting with me that they have also many sculptures for hundred years,” he added.
Besides, he said, the ambassador of Turkey has declared that they will construct a sculpture of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Those who are praising Turkish President Erdogan and who run their organizations with the money from the UAE, they do not see the sculptures in the United Arab Emirates.
The minister urged all not to create confusion among the common people and to see the world.
He said, “I would like to say as Awami League joint general secretary and information minister of the government that we would not tolerate anyway such statements and ill attempts of creating anarchy. I would like to urge all cultural organizations and pro-liberation forces to build resistance against the ill attempts.”
JPC president Saiful Alam, general secretary Farida Yeasmin, BFUJ secretary general Saban Mahmud, AL leader MA Karim and singer SD Rubel, among others, addressed the meeting with BSJ advisor Lion Chittaranjan Das in the chair. BSJ general secretaryArun Sarker Rana conducted it.