SC Lady Justice sculpture removed
The sculpture at the Supreme Court premises, a variation of the Greek goddess Themis in a sari, was removed from its spot early today. Some workers started the removal work in presence of the sculptor Mrinal Huq around 9pm on Thursday. However, under which authorities the work is going on could not be verified independently. No officials of the Supreme Court could be seen during the removal work until 2am.Unconfirmed sources, however, said that the sculpture would be taken away from the forefront of the Supreme Court and will be installed in front of the annex building of the same court. Mrinal Huq himself was not sure what will be the told reporters that the statue may remain on the court premises, but at a different spot.
Around 1:20am, Huq, in tears, talked to reporters at the gate of the Supreme Court. Citing that there are several of his sculptures installed in the country, he expressed his frustration over the fact that that statue was being removed from the court premises. Those who have been against the spirit of the country and our culture have won. It seems that we have to accept our defeat today. However, I urge all to maintain peace so that no untoward situation takes place. This situation is unbearable. Yet, I have to see this day, Huq said. Around 2am, some people under the banner of pro-liberation people were seen protesting the removal of the sculpture blocking the road in front of the Supreme Court. Religious hardliners, including Hefajat-e-Islam, had been protesting against the sculpture at the court premises claiming the figure goes against the spirit of Islam. They had also been demanding the removal of the statue. According to them, the sculpture holding the familiar sword and scales of justice in her hands, amounts to idolatry. Islami Andalan Bangladesh even issued an ultimatum to the government to remove the statue from the Supreme Court premise before Ramadan. The Islamic front came up with the ultimatum at a rally in front of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on April 21. Addressing the rally, Islami Andalan Bangladesh chief Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim warned, Remove the Greek idol before Ramadan, otherwise Muslims of the country will rise up.
He further said a challenge has been thrown at Muslims by installing the idol of a Greek near the National Eidgah. Even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on April 11, agreed with alems and ulemas of the Qawmi Madrasas that the statue on the Supreme Court premises should be removed. She personally thinks the statue should not be there.
To speak the truth, I dont like it myself. Its a Greek statue, but how will a Greek statue get here? Moreover, the Greek statue has been adorned with a sari. That too is ridiculous, the premier has said said at a meeting with the leaders of the Qawmi Madrasas at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The premier also told the leaders present at the meeting that she will be taking necessary steps to remove the statue from the court premises. Ill sit for talks with the chief justice over this soon. So Ill ask you to be patient and not agitate. Well do everything here possible, she said. Hefajat-e Islam Ameer Shah Ahmad Shafi was present at the meet as the chief representative of the madrasa leaders. Earlier on April 9, a writ was field with the High Court seeking removal of the sculpture on the SC premises. The writ claimed that the installation of a statue in front of the Supreme Court is contradictory to articles 12 and 23 of the Constitution.
