Rangamati, May 13 (V7N)- The Rangamati district branch of the Anti-Fascist Students and People organized a protest march and rally on Tuesday, demanding the removal of what they termed a "fascist statue" in Rangamati.

The protest march commenced in Banarupa in the city on Tuesday afternoon and culminated at the Rangamati Hill District Council premises. Following the march, the protesters surrounded the District Council office and held a two-hour rally there.

The protest meeting was chaired by Shahidul Islam Shafi, and speakers included Irfanul Haque, Sarbjit Chakma, Imam Hossain Imu, Harun Ibn Abdul Khaled, Tanim Ibn Yom, Sayeda Khatun, Md Abdullah, and Md Rakib Uddin.

During the rally, speakers issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Rangamati Hill District Council, demanding the removal of the "fascist statue" within this timeframe. They warned of strict action if their demand is not met.

The statue in question, depicting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was covered with plastic tarpaulin on November 25th of last year, which was three months and twenty days after the Awami League government was overthrown following a mass uprising by students and the public. The covering of the statue was reportedly initiated by the Rangamati Hill District Council. Tuesday's protest marches and rallies specifically demanded the complete removal of the sculpture.

It is noteworthy that the Rangamati Hill District Council financed the construction of the Bangabandhu Statue and its surrounding structures, covering approximately 30,000 square feet, in the fiscal year 2010-11. The council reportedly spent around 40 million taka on the construction of the 31-foot long and 12.5-foot wide sculpture and associated structures.

The sculpture was designed by Sabuj, a teacher at the Institute of Fine Arts (now the Faculty of Fine Arts) of Dhaka University. Important historical dates, including the historic March 7th speech and Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day on January 10th, are inscribed at the base of the sculpture. The sculpture, completed in 2013 and officially inaugurated on February 23rd of that year, also features ample space for visitors.

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