Sculptures of Women at July Martyrs' Stage in Uttara Covered with Black Cloth
Sculptures commemorating women who participated in and were martyred during the July uprising have been covered with black cloth at the 'July Martyrs' Stage' in Diabari, Uttara, Dhaka. The exact reason for this action and the identity of those responsible remain unclear. Local tea stall owner Shahidul Islam stated that the sculptures have been covered since the beginning, with the cloth being replaced when it wears out. Mohammad Rakib, a hotel worker, reported seeing three to four individuals covering the sculptures with black cloth around 1:30 AM last Saturday. Social media discussions have arisen regarding the covered sculptures, with Manisha Mafruha of the professional parents' organization 'Chobbish's Uttara' claiming that some female sculptures have been removed. She noted that the stage was planned as a memorial and a center for socio-cultural activities but was covered before its official inauguration due to unspecified circumstances. Mafruha further alleged that upon inspection on Sunday, four female sculptures were found to be completely removed from the section covered by black cloth. Initially, the covering was done by a contractor under the City Corporation's directive due to the postponed inauguration on December 18th, but it was later re-covered. 'Chobbish's Uttara' has filed a written complaint with the Dhaka North City Corporation's administrator, demanding an investigation, the recovery and reinstallation of the removed sculptures, and the official inauguration of the stage. Former Dhaka North City Administrator Mohammad Ejaz confirmed the stage's construction was initiated by his office following a proposal from 'Chobbish's Uttara' and mentioned receiving threats from extremists regarding the stage and sculptures during construction. Attempts to contact the current regional officials of Dhaka North City Corporation for comment were unsuccessful, though the current administrator, Shofiqul Islam Khan, acknowledged awareness of the situation and stated that a report has been requested from the responsible official.
The covering of the female sculptures at the 'July Martyrs' Stage' raises questions about the motivations behind obscuring historical commemorations, particularly those honoring women's contributions. The incident highlights potential societal or political sensitivities surrounding the representation of women in public spaces and historical narratives. The ambiguity surrounding who covered the sculptures and why, despite claims of removal, suggests a possible attempt to suppress or alter the intended historical message. The involvement of local authorities and the subsequent complaint filed by a citizens' group indicate a conflict between public commemoration efforts and undisclosed external pressures. Future analysis should consider the evolving landscape of public art and historical memory in Bangladesh, particularly concerning gender representation and the potential for politically or ideologically motivated interference with cultural monuments, especially in the context of upcoming political events or shifts in public discourse.
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