2020 sculpture controversy in Bangladesh

2020 sculpture controversy in Bangladesh refers to the controversy around the creation of the sculpture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, considered the founding father of Bangladesh and the central ideological figure of the Awami League. ^[1] Opposition was primarily led by the Islamist organisation Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh. The controversy unleashed a spiral of protests, counter-protests, and debates between the government and Islamist groups.

History

The controversy began in November 2020 at Dholaikhal, Dhaka, under Awami League government. Hefazat-e-Islam views making any sculpture or representative living thing in Islam as making idols, which is haram according to Islamic jurisprudence. On the other hand, representatives of the then-ruling party, Awami League, made the distinction that sculptures and idols used in worship are not the same. They accused Hefazat-e-Islam of deliberately misinterpreting Islamic jurisprudence under the instigation of opposition forces, intending to create political difficulties for the incumbent Awami League government. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

The government has filed sedition cases against the well-known leaders of the no-sculpture movement: Mamunul Haque, Syed Faizul Karim, and Junaid Babunagari, in the face of unrest. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

On 4 December, Muslim devotees in front of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka's Paltan area raised slogans against sculptures and atheism, subsequently pelting stones and bricks at law enforcement personnel. The incident left several individuals injured, including a photojournalist. ^[8] On 5 December, an under-construction sculpture of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was vandalized at the Five Roads intersection in Kushtia town. ^[9]

On 9 December, the High Court directed the concerned government authorities to take appropriate legal and punitive actions against those involved in damaging the sculptures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. ^{[10] [11] [12]}

References

1. ভাস্কর্য বিতর্ক: অবস্থান পরিবর্তন নয়, তবে সরকারের সাথে আলোচনা চায় হেফাজত [Sculpture Controversy: Hefazat Seeks Dialogue with the Government Without Changing Its Stance]. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2023-04-29. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
2. "Sculpture controversy an attempt to take country backwards: Information minister". The Business Standard . 2020-12-17. Archived from the original on 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
3. মুজিব ভাস্কর্য: সরকার এবং ইসলামপন্থীরা আলোচনার মাধ্যমে সমাধানের কথা বলছে [Mujib Sculpture: Government and Islamists Advocate for Resolution Through Dialogue]. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2024-09-06. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
4. "Mujib sculpture protesters creating controversy over Bangladesh: Rezaul". New Age (Bangladesh) . 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
5. "4 remanded over vandalising Bangabandhu's sculpture". The Business Standard . 2020-12-08. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
6. মুজিব ভাস্কর্য: বাবুনগরী ও মামুনুলের বিরুদ্ধে রাষ্ট্রদ্রোহের অভিযোগ তদন্ত করবে পিবিআই [Mujib Sculpture: PBI to Investigate Treason Charges Against Babunagari and Mamunul]. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
7. "Hefajat wants dialogue with govt to resolve ongoing 'sculpture issue'". The Daily Star (Bangladesh) . 2020-12-10. Archived from the original on 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
8. "Sculpture Controversy: Protesters, police clash outside Baitul Mukarram Mosque". Dhaka Tribune . 1 September 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
9. "Unfinished Bangabandhu sculpture vandalized in Kushtia". Dhaka Tribune . 5 December 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
10. "Sculpture Controversy: Protesters, police clash outside Baitul Mukarram Mosque". Dhaka Tribune . 1 September 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
11. "High Court orders legal steps against vandals of Bangabandhu sculpture". bdnews24.com . Retrieved 2024-11-20.
12. "Bangladesh: Sculptures, statues and hard-liners | Lowy Institute". www.lowyinstitute.org. Archived from the original on 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2024-11-20.