Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has expressed deep concern over the recent vandalism at the Liberation War Memorial Complex and Amrakanan in Mujibnagar, Bangladesh. The statues, which commemorate significant moments from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, were reportedly destroyed by “anti-India vandals,” according to Tharoor.
Among the damaged statues is a particularly symbolic one depicting the signing of the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender, marking the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War. Tharoor, who shared images of the vandalized statues alongside those of the original installations, condemned the incident as an “anarchic excess” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Sad to see images like this of statues at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, destroyed by anti-India vandals,” Tharoor stated. He urged the newly formed interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to take immediate steps to restore law and order in the country.
The incident follows a wave of violence in Bangladesh, triggered by the dramatic ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. In the aftermath, there have been reports of attacks on minority communities, including Hindus, and the destruction of temples and homes. Tharoor highlighted the alleged involvement of Muslim civilians who have stepped in to protect minority communities amid the unrest.
“This follows disgraceful attacks on the Indian cultural centre, temples, and Hindu homes in several places, even as reports came in of Muslim civilians protecting other minority homes and places of worship,” Tharoor noted.
Tharoor also pointed to the broader agenda of some agitators, implying a targeted campaign against minority communities and Indian interests in Bangladesh. He reaffirmed India’s support for the people of Bangladesh during this turbulent period, while calling on the interim government to act decisively against such acts of vandalism and violence.
“It is essential that @Yunus_Centre and his interim government take urgent steps to restore law & order in the interests of all Bangladeshis, of every faith. India stands with the people of Bangladesh at this turbulent time, but such anarchic excess can never be condoned,” he added.
