Quader rules out Hefajat’s demand

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today ruled out Hefajat-e Islam’s demand for removal of all the sculptures saying the sculptures upholding spirit of the Liberation War and heritage will not be taken down under any circumstances.

“The sculptures carrying heritage and upholding spirit of the Liberation War will not be removed. Rather such type of sculpture will be installed by the government,” he said while talking to reporters in Narayanganj.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said there is no similarity between the sculptures upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the statue of Lady Justice.

“So, our government is on the rigid stance against the demand of Hefajat-e-Islam to remove all sculptures in the country,” Quader said responding to a question.

Hefajat and some other Islamist outfits yesterday demanded the authorities take down all statues across the country. The Hefajat also claimed that the removal of the statue of Lady Justice was the “primary victory of the just movement by the people”.

Responding to BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s allegation that the prime minister has been forced to bow her head down, Quader said, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s daughter does not do it before anyone except Allah.”

Quader said there is no question about the statue of the Lady Justice but its location is a matter of concern as the country's main Eid jamaat (congregation) holds there.

“In this context, our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has raised a question about the location of the statue of the Lady Justice,” he added.

Earlier on April 11, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a meeting with the Alem and Ulema from Qawmi madrasas said she personally did not like the statue on the SC premises either.

Later on April 17, Hasina told her cabinet colleagues that she asked the CJ either to remove the statue or reinstall it at another place so that it cannot be seen from the National Eidgah.