The family of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the July uprising, has objected to the inclusion of his 20-foot sculpture in this year’s Mongol Shobhajatra, despite an initial decision by Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Sayeed’s elder brother, Abu Hossain, stated that their family does not support the idea and has contacted authorities to prevent its installation.
He mentioned that he reached out to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, but they informed him that the project is being organised solely by Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Meanwhile, Fine Arts Dean Prof Azaharul Islam Sheikh confirmed that a committee has been formed to finalise the decision, emphasising that the initiative aims to uphold the spirit of the July movement. The Mongol Shobhajatra, a UNESCO-recognised cultural tradition, has been held annually on Pahela Baishakh since 1989.