A quiet calm had settled over the University of Dhaka campus during the Eid holidays. With students away and dormitories empty, the usually bustling grounds seemed unusually still.
But in that silence, a troubling sight emerged near the Swadhinata Stambha on Fuller Road.
As evening fell, a pick-up van was parked on the road island near Salimullah Hall and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Workers hurriedly sawed large sections of a tree trunk, tied them with thick ropes, and loaded them onto the vehicle.
A closer look revealed a shocking truth: the long-standing Krishnachura tree at the western corner of the monument had been removed, leaving only a freshly cut stump behind.
Workers confirmed that the wood came from that tree, but could not clarify when or under whose authority it was cut. “We bought it from a contractor,” one said.
The Swadhinata Stambha, built in 1988 by renowned sculptor Shamim Sikder, is more than a structure – it is a symbol of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. For decades, the Krishnachura tree beside it had been part of the landmark’s identity, especially during its blooming season, when its vibrant red flowers drew attention from students, visitors, and photographers. Now, that familiar scene is gone.
Attempts to trace the incident led to a man claiming to be a contractor from Hazaribagh. He said the tree had fallen in a storm on the night of March 25, and the university sold it to him for Tk 17,250, including VAT and tax, through a “spot quotation.”
However, his explanation raised more questions than answers. He referred to a department called “Ivory Culture,” which does not appear to exist within the university.
Although there is an Arboriculture Centre at the university, none were available for comments.
There is also no evidence that any public notice or transparent procedure was followed for selling a tree from such a significant location.
The incident raises pressing questions: Was the tree truly uprooted by a storm, or was it cut deliberately? Why was it removed during the holiday period, when oversight is minimal? Was the university administration aware? And if sold, why at such a low price?
Beyond administrative concerns, the disappearance of the Krishnachura is a symbolic loss.
At a historic institution like Dhaka University, and at a site as important as the Swadhinata Stambha, removing a decades-old tree is not just an environmental issue – it also raises questions of heritage and accountability.
When contacted, DU Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed said the matter falls under the university’s estate office. Repeated attempts to reach estate manager Fatema Binte Mustafa for further clarification were unsuccessful.
For now, only the stump remains – a silent, unresolved reminder of a story that demands answers.