The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE scandal surrounding the sending out of the irreplaceable heritage items has now reached a flashpoint. People who can realise the gravity of the crime are one in demanding very hard and very prompt punishment of those involved in the wheeling-dealing notwithstanding their high positions. Tokenism such as resignation can be no substitute for a thorough probe to establish irresponsibility and ill motives behind the entire plan from the start. The investigations must pinpoint why the move was so doggedly sustained in spite of fierce countrywide protests against the same. The heritage objects cleared to be sent to France represent nearly all the unique such objects in the country. The same could be destroyed in flight from accidental reasons and lost forever. No guarantee could be given against such mishaps. The insurance money covering the entire consignment was laughably too small compared to the value of the treasures. All the rules in the book were most insensitively defied in pushing for sending the artefacts. Even a high court stay order was tossed aside.

The case of the two 1,500 years old stolen statues representing the proud heritage of Bangladesh and its people, marks a high point in the trail of ignominy led by persons who occupy very high governmental positions in the country and pose as the custodians of the country's interests. The Cultural Affairs Adviser who was the driving force behind the plan to send 187 pieces of the very precious artefacts to France against all-out opposition to it from conscious quarters, is now saying that he would take responsibility for the theft and resign. But even this resignation, if actually carried out, would be meaningless and no consolation for the extremely valuable heritage objects that have been lost.

It was reported in this paper that some members of the Council of Advisers were vehemently opposed to the move. How then, the scheme was continuously pursued with such tenacity and determination? The nation wants answers to all of such questions, particularly the pecuniary or other interests involved. The protesters, some of them experts, had voiced their reservation against the sending of the artefacts out of fears that these would not return to Bangladesh in their original shapes or could be lost to underground traders of heritage objects. The loss of two of the artefacts substantiated the fears. The sending of the rest of the objects have now been stopped. But the minimum need of the hour is to rescind right away the contract with the Guimet Museum for sending the objects for exhibition. A further attempt to carry through the evil plan will very likely trigger serious unrest in the country.