The Office of the Proctor of Dhaka University on Sunday described an attempt to erase Sheikh Hasina's graffiti at TSC as an unintentional mistake, emphasizing its importance as a symbol of resistance and revolution.
The office issued an urgent notice saying the graffiti will be redrawn and formally recognized as a "pillar of resistance."
Expressing regret in the statement, it said that in the early hours of the day, efforts were made to erase two pieces of graffiti of Sheikh Mujib and Sheikh Hasina from two metro rail pillars, behind the Raju Memorial Sculpture.
These graffiti, created during the July uprising, symbolize revolution, resistance and the destruction of fascism, it said, adding that preserving this memory and passing it on to future generations is “our responsibility.”
Acknowledging it as an "unintentional mistake by the proctorial team," the statement expressed deep regret and committed to being more vigilant in the future.
In the presence of the proctorial team, students redrew the erased graffiti promptly.
What happened?
Dhaka University students gathered after workers, aided by a crane, attempted to repaint a stained image of Sheikh Hasina.
The picture, defaced during the July uprising that followed the fall of the government, had become a symbol of public outrage.
It is located on a metro rail pillar behind the Raju Memorial Sculpture, which protesters view as a representation of the disdain for Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
The incident occurred around 3am when workers began coating the stained mural. While the painting of Sheikh Hasina’s image was partially covered, a nearby pillar with a painting of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had already been repainted.
Upon seeing the activity, students approached the workers, who claimed they were employed by the metro rail authorities and had received permission from DU administration to proceed.
As news of the repainting spread across social media, particularly on Facebook groups frequented by DU students, many students rushed to the scene.
Along with general student leaders from several student organizations, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Jatiya Nagorik Committee, Bangladesh Chhatra Union and Biplabi Chhatra Moitree were present.
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed arrived at the scene to address the agitated crowd.
He said to the students: "The directive didn't come from any particular ministry but from 'probably' an additional director of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) who told me by phone about the repainting."
He added that he later passed this information to DU’s estate officer, Fatema Binte Mostafa, leading to the approval of the repainting.
However, this explanation failed to appease the students, who criticized the administration for acting without consulting them.
Some students attempted to detain the proctor briefly, demanding his resignation, while Saifuddin Ahmed apologized and claimed the decision was unintentional.
The protest also gained traction on social media.
