Dhaka University to probe ‘hijab’ put on female figure in Raju Sculpture

A group of masked men on motorcycles put the black cloth on the figure before students removed it, witnesses say

A group of unidentified men have wrapped a black cloth around the head of a female figure on the Raju Sculpture at Dhaka University, a symbol of anti-terrorism, to make it look as if she is wearing a hijab. The university administration has decided to form a committee to investigate the incident.

The ‘hijab’ was put on the sculpture on Wednesday night but was soon removed after a group of students noticed it.

Several witnesses told bdnews24.com that a group of men wearing masks and riding motorcycles came to the area, put the cloth around the figure and left. A proctorial team was sent to the scene when the incident was reported. The students had already removed the cloth by the time they arrived.

There has been widespread criticism of the incident on social media.

Writer Taslima Nasreen posted a picture of the incident on Facebook and wrote: “Those who put hijabs on stone statues today will put hijabs on flesh and blood women who don’t wear them tomorrow.”

Mohammad Tajul Islam, a coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, went to the statue with another coordinator Mahin Sarkar. He posted a photo of the two of them in front of the sculpture around 1:30am, writing:

“Revolutionary students should remain vigilant of the fascist Awami conspiracy. Fascist forces are involved in an all-out conspiracy to thwart the mass uprising. There was an attempt to inflame communal tensions by putting a black cloth on the Raju Sculpture. These are attempts to divide the united force of the revolutionaries. We cannot allow the mass uprising won by the blood of 1,500 martyrs to be thwarted in any way. It is the responsibility of you, me, and everyone to stand against these fascist powers. So I urge everyone to be vigilant.”

Saifuddin Ahmed, the university’s proctor, said on Monday morning:

“We will form an investigation committee to find out who did this. It will be formed by this afternoon. Before that, we will also speak to the students who witnessed it.”

“Our team went to the scene at night, but the students had already removed the hijab. But we cannot say exactly when the cloth was put on or when it was taken off.”