Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s mural at Sylhet DC office bulldozed

The removal follows a call from the “Tawhidi Janata” group to dismantle the monument, with further threats targeting the Shahjalal University mural

A mural of Bangladesh’s independence leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been razed down at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Asadullah Al Galib, central co-coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, said: “The demolition of the Sheikh Mujib mural at the district administration office is underway in the presence of students and residents. After this, we will target the mural at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology."

The mural was reportedly taken down late on Wednesday evening, and local authorities have since said they are investigating the incident.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad commented, “We are looking into the matter.”

The destruction of the mural comes after protests erupted in Sylhet earlier this month.

On Jan 9, members of the Tawhidi Janata group, which had organised a demonstration, demanded the removal of the mural.

During the protest, leaders issued a three-day ultimatum for the authorities to remove it.

The mural destruction has led to heightened tensions in the region, with threats of further actions against monuments and public representations of national figures.