Islamic University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Sheikh Abdus Salam has said the vandalism of the sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has not only hurt the spirit of the great liberation war but also the very essence of Bangladesh's independence which has been achieved at the cost of blood and sacrifice; Rather, Bangladesh has been attacked. We have to come forward with consciousness of freedom and give a befitting reply to it.

Professor Sheikh Abdus Salam was speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally organized by the Bangabandhu Parishad, Islamic University unit to protest against the vandalism of a sculpture of Bangabandhu in Kushtia.

He said those who did it were identified. These are the old vultures that have been flying in the sky of Bengal for ages. They killed the architect of independence in 1975. On mischievous attempt one after another to stop his daughter, the current Prime Minister and leader of the people Sheikh Hasina.

Vice Chancellor said they fear the freedom. They are afraid of Bangabandhu. They are also afraid of the dead Bangabandhu. Because they know that the dead Bangabandhu is stronger than the living Bangabandhu.

He called upon all Bengalis to unite and stand against this reactionary evil force.

He said the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the one who has made the most sacrifices for the freedom of Bangladesh and handed over the country to us with a dream. As a citizen of Bangladesh, I personally and as the Vice Chancellor of the University protest against this.

He said if we cannot save the image-sculpture of the father of the nation then one day the philosophy of Bangabandhu, our democracy, our non-communal Bangladesh will be destroyed. He called that all have to ready to retaliate if anyone hurts him.

At the outset, Dr SA Malek, former political adviser to the Prime Minister, inaugurated the rally through a teleconference. After that, the former vice chancellor of Dhaka University and chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique.

Islamic University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shahinoor Rahman and Central Bangabandhu Parishad Office Secretary Motiur Rahman Laltu spoke the event as special guest.

Islamic University Bangabandhu Parishad General Secretary Professor Mahbubul Arfin conducted the programme while it was presided over Professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman president of the unit.

Among others, Private Times University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. H. M. Akhtarul Islam, Bangabandhu Parishad central committee member Professor Dr. Shahjahan Mandol, Joint General Secretary of the Islamic University Bangabandhu Parishad Professor Dr. Anwarul Haque Swapan, Joint General Secretary and General Secretary of the University Officers 'Association and Secretary General of the Bangladesh University Officers' Association Mir Mourshedur Rahman, Organizing Secretary of IU Bangabandhu Parishad Dr. Sajjad Hossain, Education and Research Secretary. Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Golam Azam, vice-president of the officers' association, Dewan Tipu Sultan, joint general secretary of IU unit Bangabandhu Parishad, Atiar Rahman, president of the general employees' association, Mofazzel Hossain, general secretary of the technical assistant employees' association and Bangladesh Chhatra League IU unit leaders Shishir Islam Babu and Faisal Siddiqui Arafat also spoke.