ASK seriously condemns the demolition of the under construction sculpture in front of the Zia International Airport in the face of threat by some madrasa students. As reported in the dailies, the sculpture was demolished as some students of a local madrasa, a leader of Khatme Nabuwat Bangladesh and a group named ‘Murti Protirodh (anti-statue) Committee’ threatened to remove the statue. Such shameful conciliation of the concerned authorities to meet the demand of the bigots gives rise to serious concern over the Goverment’s role against extremism and intolerance.

The sculpture was being constructed under the decision of the aviation authority with approval of the relevant Ministry.Demolishing such a under construction sculpture, facing a demand from the bigots, is nothing but a shameful bow-down by the Government to the absurd demand of the extremists. Few days ago, in Kishoregonj District, a cultural programme, arranged with prior permission from the District Administration was also postponed due to the objection by the fanatics. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) believes that recurrence of such incidents poses a serious question as to the present Government’s commitment to uphold our cultural values and the spirit of democracy and secularism.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) hopes, the Government will leave the line of appeasement with the bigots and take bold steps to ensure a secured environment for art and culture and safeguard the democratic values.