A senior leader of the ruling party yet again reiterated that the government has planned to take stern actions against those behind the anti-sculpture movement as protests erupted across the country after a Banganbandhu statue was vandalized in Kushtia.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that stern, punitive measures will be taken and the government will not tolerate any derogatory comments, speeches, and behaviours that are in conflict with the country’s constitution and laws.

“Enough is enough… Stop now… Don’t go beyond the limit of our patience. We have kept our activists and supporters in control. But if you again cross your limits, Awami League supporters will not sit at their homes,” Quader, who serves as the road transport minister, said while addressing a party event via video conference from his residence in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, government high ups said that two-step action will be taken against the anti-sculpture movement – one is countrywide continuous demonstrations by the ruling Awami League and its associated bodies and secondly, law enforcement agencies will take necessary measures to enforce law.

A number of senior Awami League leaders and members of the cabinet told Dhaka Tribune that they are not looking for a confrontation but they will be visible across the country through demonstration and protests so that “no one dares to vandalize sculptures again.”

At the same time law enforcement agencies will take actions, like making arrests and filing of cases against those who are behind the anti-sculpture movement……

by Ali Asif Shawon and Ashif Islam Shaon in Dhaka Tribune, Dec 6, 2020 at 09:24 pm https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/12/06/govt-warns-of-stern-action-against-vandalizing-of-sculptures