Mamunul Haque calls for removing facial features of sculptures at July Museum

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Mamunul Haque has called for removing the facial features of human sculptures displayed at the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum after visiting the museum on Sunday.

Speaking to journalists after his visit, Mamunul Haque said regarding the sculptures, they had a clear position during the anti-fascist movement. They had argued that sculptures of humans conflicting with Muslim culture and values should not be present in state establishments.

He said, from that standpoint, he is suggesting that the facial features of the martyrs at Shapla Chattar be removed and their memory and events be depicted instead.

The Khelafat Majlis leader also alleged that several important events from the country's recent history have not been properly included in the July Museum.

Mamunul Haque said among the major movements during Sheikh Hasina's rule, the anti-Modi movement of 2021 was significant. But no notable memory of that movement has been preserved in the museum, even though those killed and injured in that movement remain a living history.

He also demanded the inclusion of memories of the Felani killings at the border, the incident of blocking former prime minister Khaleda Zia's house with sand trucks, and the killings that followed the announcement of the death sentence for war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayeedi.

Mamunul Haque said important events should not be omitted when preserving the history of the country's recent political and social movements; they should be properly highlighted. To present these events as part of history to future generations, memories of various movements and events should be preserved in a broader scope at the museum's displays.