A protest rally was organised by the Manda Upazila BNP of Naogaon against the withdrawal of the image of the historic Kusumba Shahi Mosque from the Taka five denomination note at the intersection of Prasadpur Bazar in the upazila around 11:30 AM Tuesday.
Former President of Manda Upazila BNP Maklesur Rahman Makay, former General Secretary and former Upazila Chairman Dr. Ikramul Bari Tipu, Upazila BNP Convening Committee members Abdul Quader and Shamsul Islam Badal, Upazila Jubo Dal joint conveners Abdul Jalil and Abdul Malek, Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal joint convener Abu Talha Jubayer, Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Shahiduzzaman Salek, among others, spoke at the rally.
The speakers said, "Kusumba Mosque is a priceless symbol of our national heritage and culture. As the image of this mosque was depicted on the five-Taka note, the people of the country would have been familiar with its history and heritage. Such a decision is tantamount to undervaluing the country's cultural heritage. They demanded that the image of Kusumba Mosque be immediately restored on the five-taka note."
BNP leaders warned that if their demands are not met, they will take up even greater programs in the future, including those of the Naogaon residents.
After the rally, a protest procession circled various roads in the upazila. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the Financial Advisor through the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO).
The leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Manda Upazila branch have separately submitted memorandums with the same demand.
In this regard, Grambangla Sahitya Patrika editor Ashraful Haque Palash said, 'I have done a lot of research on Kusumba Mosque. Several books have been published on this subject under my editorship.
"Kusumba Mosque is not only an architectural monument, it also carries a historical identity. The absence of it on the new five taka note has caused disappointment and anger among the locals."
It is worth noting that when news spread that the image of the historic Kusumba Shahi Mosque had been removed from the new five-taka note of Bangladesh Bank, there was a strong reaction across Manda Upazila of Naogaon. A storm of discussion and criticism erupted on social media including on Facebook in this connection.
