Students held a protest at the Raju Sculpture area of Dhaka University on Monday (Dec 30), by throwing shoes at a graffiti of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on a Metro Rail pillar.

The students expressed their anger by chanting slogans such as “Throw shoes in rhythm, on killer Hasina’s cheeks,” “We demand the death penalty for killer Hasina,” and “We gave blood, we will give more blood.” They also shouted, “In the flood of blood, injustice will drown.”

Earlier, the top portion of the graffiti was removed late Sunday night by the university administration. Following the removal, a group of students drew a caricature of Hasina, but other students demanded that the original graffiti be restored. The new artwork was created by Shimul Kumbhakar, Vice President of Bangladesh Chhatra Union's central committee, along with other student leaders.

On Sunday, the university's proctor office issued a statement saying the Metro pillar will be formally recognized as a "Monument of Hatred" by the university authorities. 

They also said that preserving this symbol of resistance against fascism will be their responsibility. 

The university expressed regret for the “unintentional mistake” made by the proctorial team in removing the graffiti.

BDST: 1654 HRS, DEC 30, 2024
MSK