Dhaka: The removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait, the first President and Father of the Nation, from the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, the Presidential Palace in Bangladesh, has stirred controversy. Reports suggest that similar removals are taking place in various government offices, sparking widespread discussions in political circles and on social media.
Mahfooz Alam Islam, an adviser to the interim government, first brought attention to the matter by posting on social media. He shared an image from Bangabhaban, confirming that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait had been taken down. In his post, Mahfooz stated, “After 1971, the fascist Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait has been removed from Darbar Hall. It is shameful that even after August 5, this portrait remained at Bangabhaban. We apologize for the delay in its removal.”
Following this revelation, reports emerged that portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were also being removed from other government offices, including departments such as Commerce and Maritime Transport. Faisal Hassan, a public relations officer, confirmed to BBC Bangla that no portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was displayed in the Ministry of Home Affairs Advisor’s office.
The matter took a political turn when BNP’s Senior Joint General Secretary Ruh Kabir Rizvi commented on the issue. Initially, Rizvi expressed regret over the removal, saying, “The portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should not have been removed from Bangabhaban.” However, hours later, Rizvi retracted his statement, apologizing for the confusion. He clarified that he believed the portrait had been removed from a gallery displaying all Presidents’ portraits.
In his revised statement, Rizvi said, “Under Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian regime, laws mandating the display of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait were imposed. These fascist laws are invalid. It is inappropriate to display such symbols of misrule in offices and courts. I regret my earlier remarks and apologize for any misunderstanding.”
Reports from various regions indicate that after Sheikh Hasina’s government left power, many government offices and courts began removing portraits of both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina. BBC Bangla conducted investigations across government and autonomous institutions, confirming that portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been taken down in multiple locations.
This development has triggered a broader debate about the political legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the laws enforced during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. The removal of these portraits underscores the deepening political divide in Bangladesh and raises questions about the symbolic role of such imagery in public institutions.
