Authorities remove street paintings of Ghulam Azam, others in front of Jagannath Hall

Hall authorities say the paintings were erased following orders from the university administration

The authorities at Jagannath Hall have erased road paintings of Ghulam Azam, Motiur Rahman Nizami, and Abdul Quader Molla – who were convicted of war crimes - from the streets in front of the dormitory.

The paintings were created to mark Martyred Intellectuals Day, observed across Bangladesh on Sunday. On December 14, 1971, as Pakistan’s surrender neared during the Liberation War, its forces killed numerous intellectuals.

The hall authorities said they erased the paintings following an order from the university authorities and in the wake of a demand from students.

Students said the hall authorities defended their action, saying it was necessary to ensure security in the dormitory.

The paintings were created on the streets near Rabindra Bhaban and October Smriti Bhaban on Saturday night. They were removed at 10am on Sunday.

The Jagannath Hall Sangsad held a road painting programme in memory of the intellectuals killed on Dec 14, 1971 said Pallab Barman, vice president of the hall council. Students created the paintings.

“Jagannath Hall suffered the most in the Liberation War. On the 14th of December, the finest sons of the nation living in this hall were killed,” he said.

He alleged that the hall authorities removed the paintings, highlighting security concerns.

“We reject their decision. The hall authorities will be held accountable,” he said.

Jagannath Hall Provost Debashis Pal told bdnews24.com the paintings had been drawn without taking the permission from authorities.

“They had permission to display photos of the Liberation War,” he said.

He said some students brought the paintings to the notice of the university authorities. The authorities ordered Debashis to remove the paintings.

Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, however, denied that the university authorities gave any such orders.