DHAKA, Dec 30, 2024 (BSS) - All the active student organizations of  Dhaka university have observed a shoe-throwing program at the newly-painted graffiti  of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina near TSC of Dhaka University. 

The previously announced shoe-throwing program was observed around 1.30 pm today.
 Members of student organizations, along with students of different schools, colleges, and working people of the capital, were seen throwing shoes at the picture with much enthusiasm. 

Earlier, the student organizations jointly drew this picture from Sunday night to Monday morning.

After the fall of Hasina government on August 5 in the face of mass uprising, the graffiti of Sheikh Hasina was painted red and garlanded with shoes. The picture became a symbol of public anger and hatred. 

Earlier, with the permission of the university proctor, the picture of Sheikh Hasina was erased at midnight last Saturday (December 28). This angered the general students. The students drew a caricature of Sheikh Hasina that night.

The next day, Sunday (December 29), the proctor's office issued a statement expressing regret. The statement said, "This is an unintentional mistake by the proctorial team. We sincerely apologize for this. We promise to be more careful in this regard in the future." The statement also stated that the university authorities have officially recognized this pillar as a hate pillar.

Leaders and activists of all student organizations were seen gathering at the foot of the pillar of the metro rail in TSC since noon today (December 30).  Student organizations were seen chanting slogans.

Rickshaw puller Omar Faruk told BSS, "I think Hasina should be brought back to the country and hanged in front of millions of people for killing ordinary people and students." 

Asked why he was standing and throwing shoes at Hasina instead of driving a rickshaw, he said, "Hasina hurt the common people of the country a lot killing many students and innocent people. It is a pleasure to throw shoes at this picture of Hasina."

Zahid Ahsan, cell secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told BSS, "Throwing shoes and beating brooms at this picture of Hasina in TSC is an expression of the anger of ordinary people towards Hasina. Even before August 5, people have expressed hatred towards this picture. But even though it was removed recently, all the active student organizations of Dhaka University urged redrawing the graffiti to keep it as a sign of mass-hate.

Regarding the preservation of the graffiti of the mass uprising, he said, "After August 5, when the graffiti of the mass uprising were erased and instead drawn flowers, birds, vines and leaves were painted, we protested. The graffiti of the mass uprising is a witness to our historical movement and moments. The graffiti is an expression of our anger towards the dictatorship. I think the government should take the initiative measures to preserve these graffiti."