Bangladesh is reportedly considering a proposal to remove portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from public and private offices. The National Consensus Commission (NCC), formed under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, announced the move. The commission seeks political parties’ opinions on the matter by October 12.
The proposal involves abolishing clause 4(Ka) of the Bangladesh Constitution, which mandates displaying Bangabandhu’s portraits in all government and non-government institutions. NCC Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz sent a letter to parties on October 9 requesting feedback. Officials said the proposal will be considered for inclusion in the July Charter 2025.
Earlier acts of vandalism targeted Liberation War symbols. In July, Bangabandhu’s image in the Independence Memorial Mural ‘Arjon’ in Rangpur was defaced with ink. In April, radicals demolished the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Dhaka. Several other murals and memorials across Bangladesh have also been damaged or destroyed since August 2024.
Experts criticized the interim government, calling these acts an insult to war martyrs and an appeasement policy towards Pakistan. Opposition leaders expressed concern that the removal of portraits undermines the historical legacy of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War.
