The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

Muslim bigots in a statement signed by 101 Muslim clerics and religious leaders on Sunday demanded immediate stoppage of the construction of 'Bijoy Bihango'(The Victory Bird), the sculpture of birds on the memory of liberation of Barisal from occupation army.

The Muslim clerics related with Masjid-Madrasha-Khanka Sangrakkhon Committee, Imam Samity, Quran Sangrakkhan Committee, Islami Shasantantrik Andolon, Mujahid Committee, Jamate Islami, Khelafat Majlis and other Islamic orthodox religious-political organizations declared that they would not tolerate any attempt of constructing idols in the name of sculpture.

The signatories of the statement called Barisal City Corporation to spend their funds for development of BCC services instead of constructing sculpture of the idols.

Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron, Mayor of BCC, said that the design of 'Bijoy Bihango' was earlier discussed and approved by the leaders of the religious organizations.

As the sculpture has no idol or human figure included, so the bigots should withdraw their objection against the project. Now the work is going on and would be inaugurated on December 8, 2008, the Barisal liberation day, he assured.

Hayatul Islam, Assistant commissioner of Barisal Metropolitan Police, said that if BCC requests them, then they will provide all sorts of help to ensure safety and security in completion and after inauguration of 'Bijoy Bihango'

Construction work of the 'Bijoy Bihango' ( the victory bird),first sculpture on liberation war in Barisal, at the cost of 10.07 lakh taka funded by Barisal City Corporation has been inaugurated on September 24, 2008 at Amtala crossing of the city entrance point after 37 years of independence by BCC Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron.

Barisal Sangskritik Sangothan Samanaya Parishad and Charukala giving assistance in this project designed by Sculptors Hamiduzzaman Khan and Aminul Hassan and would be implemented by State Communication Firm of Dhaka.

Sources said first attempt of constructing sculpture on liberation war in the city was taken in 1996 and local people creating movement and breaking section 144 forced the authority to lay a foundation for that at Zila Parshad-Nagor Bhabon area.

However that project was abandoned by political governments.

On other hand different political and socio-cultural organizations including Barisal Reporters Unity, 27 organizations included in Sanskritik Sangothan Samonaya Parishad, Group Theatre Federation, B M College Journalist Association, condemned the removal of the sculpture and the bigotry against the Bengali culture.

They also urging the government to immediately rebuild the sculpture said this 'illegal' and 'criminal' incident shocked the whole nation and in a democratic country and threats issued by religious bigots who have no respect for the culture of their forefathers and their own country, could not be accepted by any means.

Different student organization including BCL, Chhatro Motri, Chhatra Union, Progatishil Chhatra Oikkaya, holding protest gathering and processions at Barisal B M College campus expressed its concerns about the activities of the fanatics against the monument demanded that the monument should be rebuilt and the bigots should be arrested and punished