A group of people impersonating them as ‘July Warriors’ removed images of founding president of the country Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from public monuments, including the iconic ‘Arjan’ sculpture, commemorating the Liberation War in Rangpur Thursday night.
In the wake of attacks on National Citizen Party’s rally venue in Gopalganj, a group of protestors gathered at the Modern crossing where the ‘Arjan’ sculpture stands at around 11:30pm.
Chanting slogans against Awami League, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, they used black spray paint to deface a portrait of Sheikh Mujib installed on the monument.
They arrived in a Rangpur City Corporation vehicle and later celebrated after defacing the image. Slogans such as ‘Bury Mujibism,’ ‘No place for Chhatra League,’ and ‘Awami League’s grave will be in every home’ echoed through the night.
On February 5 last, protesters also demolished Mujib murals at Rangpur Zilla School, Begum Rokeya University, and Carmichael College. Similar acts occurred in the Rangpur district council and various upazilas.
July activist Imran Ahmed said that no symbols of the fascist regime would remain in Rangpur. Resistance would rise wherever fascism appears.
Previously, after the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, protesters had covered Mujib’s image at the Arjan sculpture with the national flag.