Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman memorial torn down in Jhenaidah
Photo: Agamir Somoy
For the past four days, authorities in Jhenaidah have been demolishing a square and an incomplete sculpture dedicated to Bir Shrestha Sepoy Hamidur Rahman.
Neither the administration nor the municipality has offered any clear explanation for whose orders or why the demolition is underway. The move has sparked outrage among freedom fighters, cultural activists, civil society, and conscious citizens.
The family of Hamidur alleged that the square is being removed without informing them. They viewed it as a conspiracy to erase the hero’s name from history.
During a field visit on Thursday afternoon, demolition work was visible at the square located in front of the Jhenaidah Central Bus Terminal. Workers have been carrying out this task for several days. According to the workers, they heard that the municipality initiated the removal because minor road accidents occur there frequently.
However, Municipality Administrator Rathindra Nath Roy denied the claim, saying, “We do not know who is doing this work. It is not being done on behalf of the municipality.”
Locals and workers said the sculpture and square are being removed, but they do not know who is responsible or why. They demanded the construction of a new, complete sculpture to honor the hero.
Bus driver Sagar Hossain added, “Long-distance vehicles travel on this road. The sculpture was placed in such a way that it is impossible to see if a vehicle is coming from the other side of the road. Because of this, we often face risks. Both minor and major accidents have occurred here before.”
He believes removing it will facilitate vehicle movement, but added, “We also want this hero’s sculpture - the history and pride of Jhenaidah - to be built in a new location.”
Freedom fighter Kamal Hossain remarked, “Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman is the pride of Jhenaidah and the entire country. He wrote a heroic history by giving his life in the Great Liberation War.
“His memorial is being removed in broad daylight. We demand that a memorial for the hero be built quickly at that site or elsewhere. Otherwise, it will be extremely tragic and a sign of disrespect to the hero.”
District BNP leader Abdul Majid Biswas said the construction of the sculpture was initiated by the then-district administration and municipality, but the work was never finished.
He noted, “The sculpture was placed in a spot where one bus cannot see another coming from the opposite side.” Regardless of who is removing it, he demanded the construction of a new sculpture for the hero.
According to municipality sources, Jhenaidah Municipality undertook a project in 2019 to build the Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman Square near the central bus terminal at a cost of around Tk 16 lakh.
The project was designed to be 30 feet high and 10 feet wide. However, for unknown reasons, the sculpture was left incomplete. Despite two changes in mayors and two appointments of administrators, the work was never finished.
Due to long-term neglect, weeds had grown on the square, and the sculpture remained in poor condition.
Hafizur Rahman, nephew of Hamidur Rahman, said, “After hearing the news, I went to the spot to see why it was being removed. My uncle is one of the seven Bir Shresthas of the country. It is regrettable that it is being removed without informing us. We believe a conspiracy is underway to erase his name from history.”
He immediately demanded the construction of a new sculpture for Hamidur Rahman.
District Commissioner Md Noman Hossain said, “I did not know this was a sculpture of Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman because it is incomplete. Moreover, it is not the case that the district administration is breaking it.
“A decision was made a long time ago to move it from that location. Probably the Roads and Highways Department and the municipality are implementing that decision.”
He also mentioned that there are plans to build a new portrait of Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman.
