Tension over graffiti removal in Chittagong

A dispute has arisen between BNP and NCP leaders and activists over the removal of graffiti in various places in Chittagong city. In addition to contradictory statements on social media, there have also been incidents of scuffles between leaders and activists of both parties in some areas.
Tension has been prevailing in the area since Monday (May 18) morning due to the incident that took place in the Tiger Pass area of ​​the city on Sunday (May 17) night. In this context, the CMP banned all types of public gatherings, processions and meetings on the main road from GEC intersection to Dewanhat and its surrounding areas.
However, in defiance of that order, NCP leaders and activists gathered again in the Tiger Pass area with paints in the afternoon to paint graffiti. They alleged that the graffiti was removed on the orders of the mayor. When they were asked to move away, they got into a scuffle with the police several times. During this time, some NCP leaders and activists were taken into police custody to manage the situation. However, they were released after a while.
It is learnt that the pillars of the flyover in the Tiger Pass area were painted for beautification. When the matter came to light, the NCP claimed that the mayor had painted the pillars by erasing the graffiti of July. Leaders and workers of both parties levelled allegations against each other on Facebook status and live. That night, NCP leaders and workers held a protest march on this issue. At that time, various graffiti were painted on the painted pillars regarding the mayor’s martyrdom and the month of July.
Metropolitan NCP Joint Member Secretary Dr. M. R. Rahman Mabrur said that the initiative to use the paintings of the martyrs’ memorial plaque for commercial purposes has naturally created questions and dissatisfaction in the minds of the people. Naturally, the question arises, whose interests are being given priority here above the emotions and history of the people? In this regard, Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman told Banglanews that BNP embraces the July movement. Therefore, BNP is not involved in these activities.

NCP statement
The National Citizens Party-NCP has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the removal of the July Movement memorial graffiti from the Tiger Pass area. The organization claims that these graffiti are not just wall paintings, but also symbols of the sacrifice of the July Movement, the aspirations of the people and the protest spirit. The initiative to remove them and put up commercial advertisements has raised anger and questions in the minds of the people.
The statement said that after removing the graffiti, when the NCP and July Movement comrades took the initiative to paint the wall again, some BNP leaders and workers prevented it. However, there was no deterioration in traffic or law and order anywhere throughout the entire time. Although the graffiti can be removed from the wall, the memory of July cannot be erased from the hearts of the people. The organization has called on people not to turn their emotions, memories of martyrs and historical symbols into tools of political narrow-mindedness.
Chittagong City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain spoke about the removal of graffiti in his office on Monday (May 18). He said that the sacrifices of the youth in the July Movement cannot be just spoken about verbally, it must be taken from the heart. He said that these days, although many people discuss graffiti or leadership, very few people think about the suffering of the injured July fighters and their families. On August 3, my own house was attacked by fire and bombs. The attack was carried out even after setting up a gas chamber and an old mother was kept under siege. The driver’s bravery saved the entire building from burning. He further said that after the injured July fighters on August 4 were discharged from the hospital, they were treated in various hospitals. He said, “Last August 6, I personally went to different wards of Chittagong Medical College Hospital and provided financial assistance to the injured. The students of the Art College will draw aesthetic graffiti. If the CCC cannot raise the money, I will implement it with my pocket money.”