Attempts to forget the Liberation War are worrisome: Artist Rafiqun Nabi

Famous painter Rafiqun Nabi has commented on the vandalism of sculptures and memorials of the Liberation War in various parts of the country as an attempt to forget the Liberation War. Calling such a trend worrying, he said, "These things can be rebuilt, but the reason for which they were destroyed is what worries us."

He made these remarks as the chief guest at the 'Bazlur Rahman Memorial Medal 2025' presentation ceremony at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon in the capital on Monday afternoon. Referring to the attacks on the Liberation War memorials and related facilities in various places including Meherpur and Dhaka after the July Uprising, Rafiqun Nabi said, "Such incidents have been committed with the intention of forgetting the Liberation War."

However, stating that it is never possible to erase the memory of the Liberation War, he said, "We were in the Liberation War, we saw the Liberation War, we hold onto that memory. It is not possible for us to move away from there.’ He expressed optimism, noting that the young generation is still vocal about Liberation War-based videos, journalism and various activities.

This year, three journalists received the award. Daily Star reporter Ahmad Ishtiaq received the award in the print and online category, Jamuna Television senior reporter Ahmed Reza and Ekattor Television special correspondent Partha Sanjoy received the award in the electronic media category.

This award, introduced in memory of Dainik Sangbad editor and Swadhinata Padak-winning journalist Bazlur Rahman, carries a monetary value of one lakh taka, a crest and a certificate.

In his closing remarks at the event, Mofidul Haque, Trustee and Member Secretary of the Liberation War Museum, said, "This organization of Liberation War-based journalism is not limited to formalities, but rather raises deep questions of responsibility before the new generation of journalists."

President of the jury board and Professor Golam Rahman of Dhaka University said, "Many young people still do not understand the history of the Liberation War, the Language Movement and other mass movements separately, which is worrying for the nation."

He said, "The Liberation War was the culmination of a long struggle against the exploitation and deprivation of Bengalis, so there is no opportunity to distort or shorten this history."

In his welcome speech, Sarwar Ali, Trustee of the Liberation War Museum, said, "Despite the spread of misinformation on social media, people still trust the media for reliable information." He said that the young journalists were able to produce high-quality investigative reports when the archives and research materials of the Liberation War Museum were opened to journalists this year.

Another notable event at the event was the one-time donation of Tk 10 million to the Liberation War Museum by the Mir Ashraful Haque Research Fund to advance research on the history of the Liberation War and the genocide. Professor Mobinul Haque of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, handed over the check to Sarwar Ali, trustee of the Liberation War Museum.