RU pulls artwork after backlash

Rajshahi University has removed a controversial artwork from a photo exhibition marking the July Uprising, after it drew widespread criticism.

It was taken down on Monday morning, said Prof SM Kamruzzaman, the university’s public relations administrator.

“This kind of complication arose because the images weren’t reviewed beforehand,” he added. “The administration will never entertain anything controversial.”

The controversy stemmed from an image at the three-day exhibition titled “July Uprising: A Free Homeland in Colour”, which began Sunday morning, depicting both the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July Uprising.

The artwork shows a clenched fist holding a set of scales, with “71” written in red on one side and “24” in a darker shade on the other. The pan marked “24” tilts slightly lower.

The imagery suggests 2024 July Uprising outweighs the Liberation War of 1971.

The exhibition will run until 8pm on Tuesday.
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