Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan has said no decision has been taken to remove the mural depicting the surrender of Pakistani forces at Suhrawardy Udyan and build a fountain there instead.
He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after paying a courtesy call on Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi at the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Wednesday (September 30).
Asked whether a fountain was being built at Suhrawardy Udyan in place of the mural depicting the surrender of Pakistani forces, Ahmed Azam Khan said, “A few days ago, an online newspaper published a report on this issue that was highly inaccurate. We want to make it clear that we are discussing how to complete the Independence Monument at Suhrawardy Udyan. There was a plan involving the surrender of Pakistani soldiers, but there has been no discussion or decision on building a fountain there.”
The minister said discussions had taken place during the interim government about what could be done at the site. However, the current government is working on how to realise the original spirit of the Independence Monument.
“We are thinking about how we can realise the original spirit of the Independence Monument in line with our government’s election manifesto, and that is what we will work on,” he said.
Referring to reports published in newspapers about building a fountain instead of the surrender mural, he said the reports were not accurate.
“The reports that a fountain would be built in place of the surrender [mural] are completely incorrect. We have also posted a statement about this on our ministry’s Facebook page. Many of you have probably read that Facebook post; even if you have not, you should read it. Our position is clear,” he said.
Asked whether the existing design remains unchanged, the minister said, “We have not worked on that yet. We are actively considering it because it has been waiting to be completed for a long time. The ministry is working on it.”
He added, “So, the reports saying that it will remain unchanged or be changed are not accurate. You will see what happens in the future.”
Sun News/ rabbi
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