Once built to commemorate the Bengali people's decades-long struggle and sacrifice for independence, the “Swadhinata Sangram” sculpture complex at Dhaka University now stands neglected, with no visible signs of restoration more than two years after it was extensively damaged in an attack on August 5, 2024.
Located on Fuller Road, the historic complex, which represents the struggle from the Language Movement to the Great Liberation War, continues to deteriorate without repair or proper maintenance.
During this period, several media reports have demanded repair of the sculptures, and students have submitted memorandums. The university administration has also repeatedly assured that initiatives would be taken.
An on-site visit found broken and damaged parts of sculptures scattered across various places in the complex. The heads, hands and other body parts of some sculptures have been broken, and many are no longer in their previous condition. In some places, broken parts lie on the ground, while in others, parts of the original structures have been damaged.
Due to the lack of repair and proper maintenance for a long time, the entire complex has been left in a somewhat abandoned condition. No effective initiative has visibly been taken to preserve this important artistic heritage of the university.
Dhaka University Department of Sculpture Chairman Professor Nasimul Khabir said that immediately after August 5, 2024, the department had repeatedly informed the university administration about the need for immediate repair and preservation, condemning the vandalism of the sculptures. As experts, the department had also assured maximum cooperation. However, no meeting was called on the matter, nor were they invited.
He said the department has the opportunity to play a role in assessing the damage, determining repair methods while keeping the original artistic concept intact, and providing necessary technical assistance. However, unless the administration formally takes an initiative, it is not possible for the department to carry out the repair work independently.
Students have submitted memorandums to the university administration at different times and held protest programs demanding repair of the sculptures.
On July 3, 2025, Ferdous Alam, a student of the Department of Botany, and Md Ripon Ahmed, a student of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, submitted a memorandum to the then vice-chancellor, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan. They demanded the urgent reconstruction and preservation of the “Swadhinata Sangram” sculpture, as well as proper maintenance of historically significant sculptures in the future. They also demanded the formation of a permanent committee comprising students, artists, experts and relevant individuals for this purpose.
Later, on September 15, 2026, the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Federation held a program by tying black cloth over the eyes and mouths of the damaged sculptures in protest against the failure to repair them. The organization demanded prompt repair, reconstruction and proper preservation. Two days later, on September 17, it submitted a memorandum to the university’s current VC, Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, demanding that the repair work be completed before the Great Victory Day (December 16) and that the sculpture complex be opened to everyone. Despite these demands and protests, the repair work has not started.
Students allege that the failure to repair the complex for so long reflects the irresponsibility of the university administration.
Muhammad Siam Hasan, a student of the Department of History, said: “It is extremely unfortunate that the sculptures have remained in such a broken condition for a long time. This is an extremely important historical structure of the university. Although demands for its repair have been made since the previous administration’s tenure, no effective initiative has been seen. The current administration should take steps to repair and preserve the sculptures as soon as possible.”
Riyadul Hasan, a student of the Department of Management, said: “Such a poor condition of the sculptures is a manifestation of the university administration’s irresponsibility and whimsical attitude. Although such an important historical structure has remained in this condition for a long time, no visible initiative is being taken by the administration. We demand the prompt reconstruction and proper preservation of the sculptures.”
Dhaka University Proctor Professor Dr Md Israfil Ratan said: “I am also from the Faculty of Fine Arts and am an artist. From that perspective, the matter is extremely unfortunate to me. However, the matter is not so simple. Because the artist who created the sculptures has passed away, and his family is now also outside the country. As a result, the consent of their family is necessary. Therefore, this is certainly a complicated process.”
The proctor further said that the initiative to repair the sculptures must be taken while considering the artist’s original work and plan, and that communication with the family and obtaining their consent are important. However, he could not provide any specific date or timeframe for when this process with the family would be completed or when the repair work could begin.
Denying allegations of negligence, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam said: “It would not be right to call this negligence. I have already told the engineer to hold a meeting on matters of this kind, including the Swadhinata Sangram sculpture, and take necessary steps. Every department of the university has its own responsibilities. It is not possible for me to keep an eye on everything every day.”
Asked when the repair work might begin or when the chief engineer would organise a meeting on the matter, he said: “I will not be able to give any specific date in this regard.”
Comprising approximately 116 sculptures, the “Swadhinata Sangram” complex is not merely a collection of artworks; it is a visible document of Bangladesh’s political and cultural history. Alongside depicting different chapters of the Language Movement, the Liberation War and the Bengali people’s struggle for independence, it features sculptures of important figures and distinguished personalities from different periods of the country.
The complex was an important place for university students, teachers and local and foreign visitors to learn about history and heritage. As it has remained in a broken condition for a long time, both its beauty and historical significance are being undermined, and opportunities to present these historical memorials properly to the new generation are becoming limited.