BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has expressed regret over his comments regarding the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's photo from Bangabhaban. 

In a statement on Tuesday (November 12), Rizvi clarified his previous remarks.

The statement was sent to the media by BNP Assistant Office Secretary Mohammad Munir Hossain.

Earlier, Rizvi had spoken as the chief guest at a free medical camp and blood donation program at the BNP's central office in Naya Paltan. During his speech, he remarked that it was inappropriate to remove Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's photo. 

He said after the events of August 15, 1975, then-President Khandakar Moshtaque Ahmed had removed Sheikh Mujib’s photo, but Ziaur Rahman reinstated it when he assumed power on November 7.

However, later in his statement, Rizvi clarified that his attention had been drawn to reports claiming that the portrait of Sheikh Mujib had been taken down from Bangabhaban. He had initially thought the portrait was removed from the Darbar Hall at Bangabhaban, where images of all past presidents are displayed.

In the statement, Rizvi also criticized the law introduced by the former regime to display Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait in all government offices, calling it a "fascist law" and adding that such symbols of authoritarian rule should not be imposed everywhere.

His comments came following reports that interim government adviser Mahfuz Alam had claimed on Monday that Mujib’s portrait was indeed removed from Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall. 

This announcement was later shared on his verified Facebook page, drawing media attention to the issue.

BDST: 1840 HRS, NOV 12, 2024
MSK/sMS