Around 1500 statues and murals demolished since August 2024

After the fall of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in the face of student-led mass uprising on 5 August 2024, about 1,500 sculptures, relief sculptures, murals and memorials have been vandalized, set on fire and dismantled all over the country.

Most of the sculptures and murals were of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and about the Liberation War. Moreover, the statue of 'Venus' at Shashi Lodge in Mymensingh, the statue of Lady Justice at the Supreme Court and the 'Duranta' sculpture at the Shishu Academy have also been demolished.

Journalists from different media outlets after investigation have found information of 1,492 sculptures, relief sculptures (figures curved on a wall using ceramic or terracotta), murals and memorials being vandalized, set on fire and uprooted in 59 districts between 5 and 14 August. Most of the vandalism and arson incidents occurred on 5, 6 and 7 August 2024.

More than 122 sculptures, relief sculptures and murals have been vandalized, set on fire and uprooted in 15 different locations in Dhaka city. As many as seven full-body sculptures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been destroyed.

A total of 1,492 sculptures, relief sculptures, murals and memorials including 273 in Dhaka division, 204 in Chattogram division, 166 in Rajshahi division, 479 in Khulna division, 100 in Barishal division, 129 in Rangpur division, 49 in Sylhet division and 92 in Mymensingh division have smashed, removed and set ablaze.

Talking about the issue of vandalizing sculptures and murals, renowned sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan told journalists, "I am highly shocked and upset. This should not have happened. Such occurrences should not be allowed to repeat. Hopefully, the restoration works will start soon. Bangladesh's cultural heritage has come under the claws of radical entities which sounds very unfortunate."

>>Saiful Alam, AA