KOLKATA: Academics and intellectuals in Kolkata condemned Tuesday a call by All India Minority Federation for the removal of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s bust from the 114-year-old Baker Hostel in the city.
Baker Hostel, where Mujibur Rahman stayed between 1942 and 1947 as a student of Maulana Azad College (earlier Islamia College), houses his former rooms, which still contain his bed, table, chair, almirah, and books.His bust was installed in the corridor outside the room in 2010 and later replaced by a new one in 2019, sculpted by Bangladeshi artist Liton Pal Ronny.
The controversy erupted following the federation’s demand for the bust’s removal due to its proximity to a nearby mosque. “This has been our demand for a long time. There is a mosque nearby, and people offer namaz there. The bust is out of place in that particular area. However, we have not objected to Bangabandhu’s bust placed elsewhere in the city,” said Mohammad Qamruzzaman, general secretary of the federation.
The demand has been met with strong opposition. “The (Bangladesh) high commission took the initiative to create a corner there. It is part of history. This bust was featured in my documentary too,” said filmmaker Goutam Ghose, who made the documentary “Mujib in Calcutta”.
Tanveer Nasreen, head of history at Burdwan University, highlighted Kolkata’s historical significance in shaping leaders like Suhrawardy, Fazlul Haque, and Mujibur Rahman. “Historically, the role Kolkata played in the making of the Bengali Muslim mind was essentially secular, progressive, and inclusive. There is no reason why Bangabandhu’s bust should be relocated from the Baker Hostel,” she said.
In response to the controversy and in light of the situation in Bangladesh, police have increased security around the hostel. “We have instructions not to allow anybody to get close to the rooms or the bust,” said an officer.
Baker Hostel, where Mujibur Rahman stayed between 1942 and 1947 as a student of Maulana Azad College (earlier Islamia College), houses his former rooms, which still contain his bed, table, chair, almirah, and books.His bust was installed in the corridor outside the room in 2010 and later replaced by a new one in 2019, sculpted by Bangladeshi artist Liton Pal Ronny.
The controversy erupted following the federation’s demand for the bust’s removal due to its proximity to a nearby mosque. “This has been our demand for a long time. There is a mosque nearby, and people offer namaz there. The bust is out of place in that particular area. However, we have not objected to Bangabandhu’s bust placed elsewhere in the city,” said Mohammad Qamruzzaman, general secretary of the federation.
The demand has been met with strong opposition. “The (Bangladesh) high commission took the initiative to create a corner there. It is part of history. This bust was featured in my documentary too,” said filmmaker Goutam Ghose, who made the documentary “Mujib in Calcutta”.
Tanveer Nasreen, head of history at Burdwan University, highlighted Kolkata’s historical significance in shaping leaders like Suhrawardy, Fazlul Haque, and Mujibur Rahman. “Historically, the role Kolkata played in the making of the Bengali Muslim mind was essentially secular, progressive, and inclusive. There is no reason why Bangabandhu’s bust should be relocated from the Baker Hostel,” she said.
In response to the controversy and in light of the situation in Bangladesh, police have increased security around the hostel. “We have instructions not to allow anybody to get close to the rooms or the bust,” said an officer.