The photo of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been removed from the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, the presidential residence in Bangladesh.
Mahfuj Alam, the newly appointed adviser of the interim government, shared this update on his verified Facebook page on Monday.
In his post, Mahfuj Alam wrote, “The photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—post '71 fascist—has been removed from Darbar Hall. It is a shame for us that we couldn't remove his pictures from Bangabhaban after the 5th of August. Apologies. But he won't be seen anywhere till people's July spirit lives on.”
Mahfuj Alam further commented on the role of the ruling Awami League, stating, “BAL must acknowledge and apologize for what Sheikh Mujib and his daughter have done to the people of Bangladesh, starting from non-democratic '72 constitution to famine, laundering of billions, and extrajudicial killings of thousands of dissidents and opponents (72-75, 2009-2024). Then, we can talk about pre-'71 Sheikh Mujib. Without apologies and trials of fascists, there won't be any kind of reconciliation.”
According to Article 4A of Bangladesh's Constitution, the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, "shall be preserved and displayed" in prominent government offices, including those of the president, prime minister, speaker, and chief justice, as well as government and semi-government offices, educational institutions, and embassies.
In 2000, the Awami League administration passed legislation requiring the display of Bangabandhu's photograph in all government offices. However, when the BNP-led government took office in 2001, the law was abolished.
