Allegations of graffiti removal baseless: CCC Mayor

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has termed allegations of removing graffiti related to the July-August movement from different parts of the city as “false” and politically motivated.

He said a vested group was trying to “fish in muddy water” ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The mayor made the remarks during a press briefing and question-and-answer session with journalists at the CCC office in Tiger Pass on Monday.

Dr. Shahadat Hossain said he had never ordered the removal of graffiti linked to the July Movement and would not do so in the future.

He explained that as part of the city beautification programme, CCC’s cleanliness department regularly removes posters and banners and repaints walls and pillars at scheduled intervals.

According to him, the locations where repainting work was carried out, including Tiger Pass, had been covered with posters and no visible graffiti existed there.

“There is no question of going against the spirit of July-August,” he said.
The mayor added that he himself had been active in protest movements on the streets for the last 17 years.

He also mentioned that Wasim Akram, the first martyr from Chattogram in the anti-discrimination movement, had been one of his followers.
Dr. Shahadat Hossain encouraged students and young artists to create artistic and quality graffiti in collaboration with art college students and assured support from both himself and the City Corporation for such initiatives.
Responding to questions regarding recent programmes and statements by the NCP, the mayor alleged that such activities were being carried out with the upcoming elections in mind.
Regarding his tenure, he said he was legally serving as mayor under court orders and within the existing legal framework, and that his term would continue until 2029.
However, he also called for free, fair, competitive and festive elections at the earliest opportunity.
He said the City Corporation, as well as he personally, would always support positive initiatives and provide financial assistance if necessary.
Later on Monday evening, the mayor inaugurated a graffiti drawing programme organised jointly by students and different political parties in the Tiger Pass area.