WITH the slogan "Down with autocracy, let democracy be freed" inscribed on his back, Nur Hossain became an epitome of the pro-democracy popular movement against the military dictator Ershad in 1987. But the military dictatorship of that time could not tolerate even his novel, non-violent way of expressing his love for democracy and hatred against autocracy. So, he became the target of the terror brigades unleashed by the despot and went down in history as one of the martyrs of antiautocracy movement as a bullet pierced his body during a pro-democracy, anti-Ershad protest march on November 10,1987.

Nur Hussain is undoubtedly one of the great martyrs of this nation who laid down his life to emancipate its people from the clutch of a political tyrant. His measure should be the sacrifice he made for the noble cause he fought for and not the modest social background he came from. But are we really giving this martyr his due?

One cannot but raise such a question seeing that his sculpture has been removed in haste, and in a slapdash manner at that, from its original location in front of the Shamsunnahar Hall. The uprooted sculpture of Nur Hossain is now kept at a temporary location with the help of a support on a road island within the Dhaka University area. One wonders where it is finally destined.

Why is this strange arrangement for Nur's statue? Because it had to give way to the newly inaugurated, 'Road Accident Memorial’ built in memory of noted filmmaker Tareque Masud and media personality Mishuk Munir. It may be recalled that both of them died in a road mishap on August 13, 2011. Their premature deaths in a road tragedy were undoubtedly an irredeemable loss to our cultural and media arenas. Erecting a memorial in their honour has without question been a commendable decision. But why a national martyr’s statue has to be dismantled and displaced to install their image at the same place? Is this the way to show respect to those who died for a cause? Would Tareque or Mishuk have approved such an arrangement had they been alive? From whose fertile brain has come this strange idea of knocking down Nur Hossain's figure to make room for the statues of Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munir? What message are those behind such decision trying to convey to the rest of us? Aren't they, by their action, discriminating one national hero against another? Can there be a comparison between our national martyrs?

Actually, they are setting a very dangerous precedent. We hope, good sense will prevail and Nur Hossain's statue will be relocated to the original site.

The writer is Editor, Science & Life, The Dally Star.

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