Rakibul Hasan, Puthia (Rajshahi)

The Central Shaheed Minar, built in the memory of the language martyrs, has been in a state of neglect for a long time.

There is no one to look after the Shaheed Minar. The locals have allowed straw to dry for fuel in front of the Shaheed Minar. In addition, many visitors who are open enter the Shaheed Minar with their shoes on.

Such a picture has been seen at the Central Shaheed Minar in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi. This Shaheed Minar is located in the archaeological area of Puthia Panch Ani Bazar.

According to local sources, this Shaheed Minar is a place to pay tribute to the martyrs of the language movement in 1952. But no steps are being taken to maintain this Shaheed Minar. The 21st of February is coming, so maybe the municipality will remove some paint due to its responsibility and leave with the flower bouquets of Ekushey February.

The work of this Shaheed Minar will also be finished when Ekushey February comes. And when Ekushey February comes, there will be paint again. And in between, sometimes goats, sometimes dogs, and even people climb up and take pictures with shoes and sandals. At other times of the year, the Shaheed Minar remains neglected and unprotected, only on 21 February, 26 March and 16 December it is actually cleaned.

Several freedom fighters said that since it is a symbol of the memory of the martyrs, it should be kept in proper dignity. On the occasion of Ekushey February, International Mother Language Day and 26 March and 16 December, this Shaheed Minar is cleaned only for show.

We must remember that since Shaheed Minar is for the martyrs, insulting Shaheed Minar means insulting the martyrs. The upazila gets so much allocation but no time has been allotted for a boundary wall around the Shaheed Minar.
Hey, since there is no boundary wall, dogs and even ordinary people can enter wearing shoes and sandals.

In this regard, the acting administrator of Puthia Municipality, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Debashish Basak said, "On special days, the upazila gives us the responsibility, and then I do the cleaning of the Shaheed Minar."

Puthia UNO AKM Nur Hossain Nirjhar said, "On special days, we prepare the Shaheed Minar with due dignity." He also said that measures will be taken for its maintenance very soon, if necessary.