Gandhi's statue lying face down for eight months

Gandhi Ashram and Bengal Relief Committee, a registered institution (Naogaon-172), under the Social-Welfare Ministry of Bangladesh, is situated within 200 meters of Ahsanganj Railway Station in Atrai Upazila of Naogaon district. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed at the T-intersection near the ashram. The statue was inside an iron grill in the middle of a square surrounded by several cement benches. This iron grill was installed to ensure special security of the statue. However, immediately after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, miscreants broke the statue by climbing over that iron grill. Since then the statue of the great leader is still lying face down there.

The statue was inaugurated on October 2, 2021, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. However, Israfil Alam, the late MP of Naogaon-6 (Atrai-Raninagar) constituency, and the Indian High Commissioner jointly took the initiative to build it in 2020. Immediately after the construction of the sculpture, the local civil society members complained that the iron cage surrounding the sculpture had destroyed its beauty. At that time, the issue of security was brought forward as the reason by its builder, sculptor Mahafuzur Rahman (Don).

On the evening of Eid on March 31, it was seen that although the iron fence was intact, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was lying face down. At that time, some teenagers and youths, divided into separate groups, were seen making noise and dancing. A soundbox was placed on a battery-powered van and Hindi songs were being played loudly. When the reporter tried to take a picture of the broken sculpture on the mobile phone, some teenagers came forward and asked her quite rudely why she was taking the picture.

Moving away from there, the reporter spoke to some local van drivers and shopkeepers near Ahsanganj railway station. They informed that it was demolished soon after the fall of the government on August 5. When asked who demolished it, they replied that there was a chaotic situation at that time. Everyone was on the road regardless of party affiliation. Since Gandhi Chattar is a little behind the main road, they cannot say much about who demolished it.

When asked about the current condition of the square, they complained that in the evening, such teenagers and youths stay in small groups all over the area and behave in various disorderly ways, due to which the people of the area are a little annoyed and a little worried about their safety.

When contacted, Atrai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shahabuddin said: "Our patrol team is very active throughout the area. Due to the shortage of manpower during the Eid holidays, we had to work a little harder to maintain the law and order situation. However, no untoward incident occurred. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We will strengthen the security arrangements in the area adjacent to Gandhi Chattar."

Meanwhile, there has been a kind of anger among the civil society members of the area over the demolition of this sculpture. They demand that these miscreants should be brought under the law. In this regard, local journalists said that it is difficult to say who destroyed it because at that time a vested quarter divided into different groups, spread throughout the area and destroyed almost all kinds of sculptures. 'The attitude was such that we will not keep a single statue intact.'

However, wishing anonymity, a young man said: "The demolition of this sculpture is very disappointing. None can draw such a simple equation about the matter. There is a big political vengeance behind this. They have forgotten the fact that Mahatma Gandhi was a humanitarian who went beyond any politics."

According to history, many rivers including the Atrai in North Bengal swelled due to the heavy rains of September 1922. As a result, a terrible flood occurred in East Bengal. When the news of the flood reached Kolkata, a public meeting was organized at the Bharat Sabha Hall. From that public meeting, a flood relief committee was formed to stand by the helpless people of this Bengal. At that time, on the instructions of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose and Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray became active in this committee. They established a non-profit organization called the "Bengal Relief Committee" on the east side of the Atrai Ghat Railway Station with donations from the landowners and wealthy businessmen of the area. To ensure post-flood health care, Dr. Niren Dutta, a final year student of Calcutta Medical College, started a medical center here on the instructions of Mahatma Gandhi.

People concerned said that at that time, the damage caused by the flood in Rajshahi, Bogura and Naogaon districts together was about six crore taka, and thousands of people were left homeless. Under the direction of Mahatma Gandhi and the leadership of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Indian volunteers, students, teachers and common people stood by the people of East Bengal. Therefore, as a sign of gratitude, the statue of Gandhi was installed here.

Contacted, renowned essayist and researcher Mofidul Hoque told Views Bangladesh: "Mahatma Gandhi is an international figure. He has contributed to protecting human rights in different countries of the world. He is remembered with respect in several countries including South Africa, Russia, the USA and United Kingdom for his non-violent philosophy. Various memorials and statues have been erected in his honour in many countries. His role in improving the fate of the people of Bangladesh is undeniable. As a result, Bangladesh will also have his statue, it is very natural and an honour for us."

Regarding Mahatma Gandhi's contribution to the development of East Bengal, especially Atrai, this founding trustee of the Liberation War Museum said: "We must remember his contribution to improving the living standards of the people of East Bengal, especially the northern region, with respect and gratitude. He instructed the formation of the Bengal Relief Committee in this area and provided education and medical care to the locals. He took various programmes to make women self-reliant. We should take those activities forward and spread the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi among the people of the area."

Regarding the demolition of Gandhi's statue, he said: "Demolition of the statues is a barbaric act. I demand that the statue be immediately repaired and reinstalled."

Social activist Faridul Alam Pintu said: "The matter was informed to the Indian High Commission authorities concerned. They visited the spot. But, no initiative has be taken to reinstalled the statue."

Responding to a question about why the demolished statue is not being removed or whether it will be repaired and reinstalled, Atrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Kamal Hossain told Views Bangladesh: "We are aware of the matter, but as there is no instruction from the higher authorities, we have not taken any action yet. Our seniors can say more about the matter."

Contacted, Naogaon District Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Mohammad Abdul Awal said: "I am not aware of the incident. Let me talk to the local administration first."

Maria Salam : Writer and journalist