Anger over covering Bangabandhu's name

Freedom fighters and cultural figures expressed anger after seeing the dirty and discolored Victory Column while paying homage to the martyrs on Independence Day in Jessore. At the same time, they strongly criticized the incident of covering the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the Victory Column with a cloth.

While paying homage to the Victory Column in Manihar Chattar, it was seen that the lower part of the column was covered with a dark green cloth on Thursday morning (March 26). The attendees said that the memorial of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's inauguration in 1972 was written on that part.

The Independence Day program began with 31 gun salutes. Then, the tribute began with the laying of wreaths by Deputy Commissioner Ashek Hasan. Later, representatives of the administration, political, social and cultural organizations paid their respects one by one.

However, the local freedom fighters reacted angrily to the state of the Victory Column. Former president of Jessore Sammilit Sangskritik Jote, Harun-ur-Rashid, said that although the Victory Column is kept clean every year, a completely different picture has been seen this time.

In his words, ‘We had to pay homage in a dirty state, and the part with Bangabandhu’s name has been covered with a cloth—it seems to be intentional.’

Convener of the District Freedom Fighters Command, Abdul Malek, said, ‘I have closed my eyes, I have been closing my eyes.’

Former commander Mazharul Islam Montu commented, ‘History cannot be covered with a cloth.’

In this regard, District Commissioner Ashek Hasan said that this has been done as part of the renovation work of the Victory Column. The Victory Column will be renovated, so nothing has been done for that.

He also mentioned that covering it with a cloth is part of the renovation.