Published: 12:06 AM, 18 July 2026
Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman's sculpture being demolished in Jhenaidah
When asked, Hafizur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the Jhenaidah Roads and Highways Department, told The Asian Age expressing wonder, "I do not know who is removing the sculpture and the square from the central bus terminal area." -AA
The Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman Square and sculpture, built at the entrance to the district town of Jhenaidah, has been undergoing demolition over the past few days. However, none of the relevant authorities have been able to say who is carrying out the demolition. The situation has created confusion among local residents.
A visit to the site on Wednesday afternoon showed workers demolishing the square. When asked about the work, they said inquiries should be directed to the municipality.
When asked about the demolition of the sculpture, Md. Rashed Ali Khan, Acting Executive Engineer of the Jhenaidah Municipality, said "I don't know why it is being demolished. The Deputy Commissioner will be able to explain."
Contacted for comment, Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Md. Noman Hossain told The Asian Age, "The district administration is not carrying out the demolition. The decision to remove the sculpture from that location had already been made before I took charge of my office."
He added, "The Roads and Highways Department and the municipality are probably implementing that decision. However, the district administration plans to install a portrait of Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman in front of the district police lines."
Regarding the demolition of the sculpture, he advised contacting the Roads and Highways Department.
When asked, Hafizur Rahman, Executive Engineer of the Jhenaidah Roads and Highways Department, told The Asian Age, "I do not know who is removing the sculpture and the square from the central bus terminal area."
District Council Administrator M. Majid told reporters, "There was a sculpture there, but it was difficult to determine what exactly it was intended to represent. After 5 August 2024, students vandalized it on two occasions. In addition, it had become a cause of traffic accidents in the area. At several meetings, it was decided that it should be removed, but no one was willing to take responsibility for demolishing it."
He added, "I do not know who is carrying out the demolition now."
Asked about the matter, M. A. Majid, President of the Jhenaidah District BNP, said, "There are plans to build a full-scale sculpture of Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman at the roundabout near the Chuadanga bus stand in Jhenaidah town."
In 2019, the municipality initiated the construction of the Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman Square. The plan was to build a structure measuring 30 feet in height and 10 feet in width. However, due to years of neglect, the sculpture never reached its intended form. Eventually, the square became overgrown with weeds.
Local resident Azizul Haque said, "At the entrance to almost every district town in the country, there is a sculpture or monument highlighting a distinguished person or the heritage of that area."
"This square was named after Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman, the pride of Jhenaidah. Now we see it being demolished, but we do not know why," he said.
Jhenaidah-2 Member of Parliament Ali Azam Md. Abu Bakar told The Asian Age "Parliament is currently in session, and I have been in Dhaka for the past few days. I am not aware of the matter."
Freedom fighter Siddikur Rahman said, "Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman is not only the pride of Jhenaidah but of the entire nation."
He said, "By sacrificing his life, he wrote an extraordinary chapter of bravery in our Liberation War. If a square is named after him, the younger generation will learn about his contribution. If it is located at the entrance to the district, visitors will also be able to learn about him."
During the Liberation War, Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman served as a sepoy in the 1st East Bengal Regiment. On October 28, 1971, he was martyred while fighting against Pakistani forces during the battle to capture the Dhalai border outpost in Moulvibazar.
Hamidur Rahman was born on 2 February 1953, in Khordd Khalishpur village of Maheshpur Upazila in Jhenaidah. In recognition of his exceptional bravery during the Liberation War, he was awarded "Bir Sreshtho, "Bangladesh's highest military gallantry award. He is one of the country's seven Bir Sreshthos.
