'71' and '24' on weighing scale: artwork removed from RU after criticism

The Rajshahi University administration has removed a controversial artwork from an exhibition organised to mark the July mass uprising. The artwork, which depicted 1971 and 2024 on either side of a weighing scale, was removed on Monday morning following criticism.

University Public Relations Administrator Professor Kamruzzaman confirmed the matter.

The three-day exhibition titled 'July Mass Uprising: Free Homeland in Colours' began on Sunday morning beside the Tajuddin Ahmad Senate Building. It featured 80 artworks in various mediums created during an art camp organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts to mark July Mass Uprising Day 2026.

The controversial artwork showed a hand holding a weighing scale, with '71' in red on one side and '24' in a dark shade on the other. As the side with '24' appeared slightly lower, some viewers felt that 2024 was being given more importance than 1971.

Criticism also began on social media. The university administration subsequently decided to remove the artwork from the exhibition.

However, the artist offered a different explanation. Speaking to media on condition of anonymity, he said the purpose of his work was not to compare the superiority of 1971 and 2024, but rather to symbolically highlight how a certain faction has been trying to pit the two eras against each other since July.

Regarding the removal, Public Relations Administrator Professor Kamruzzaman said that while the exhibition was organised under the supervision of the Faculty of Fine Arts, the responsibility for allocating the venue beside the Senate Building rested with the administration. After learning of the artwork's content, it was removed. He added that the university administration does not wish to condone any controversial matter.

Multiple attempts were made to contact the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Mohammad Ali, but his response could not be obtained.

The exhibition is scheduled to continue until 8pm on Tuesday, featuring artworks created during the art camp organised for July Mass Uprising Day 2026.