allama iqbal
Image Source: Dawn

[Update]: Following the social media uproar on the deformed statue of Allama Iqbal, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) have taken action. They have ordered that the statue be removed from Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park Lahore.

It was claimed that it was the local gardeners who had funded and made the sculpture. However, later it was revealed that it was the Assistant Director Horticulture and Deputy Director Horticulture who led this project. And now, both have been suspended for inefficiency and negligence.

 

Someone once said, “A nation that forgets its heroes will itself soon be forgotten.” And a nation such as ours that has been achieved after quite some struggle should definitely not forget its heroes. One way of giving tribute to heroes is by placing their statues in public spaces. Our national poet, Allama Iqbal, is among such heroes, the person who dreamt of Pakistan.

Allama Iqbal – The National Poet

If one were to trace his poetry, they’d find that in the beginning, his poetry was all about the unity of the sub-continent. But later on, he realized that for Muslims to get their own identity and flourish, they needed their homeland. Unfortunately, he could not live to see the founding of Pakistan. But his poetry is still cherished and loved. Aside from that, his poetry was also focused on motivating the youth.

The poet’s statue was raised in Gulshan e Iqbal Park Lahore. And it was not going to go ignored now, was it? But Pakistanis have outright rejected this statue because they find it deformed. There was sarcasm overflowing on the topic, and there was also criticism, and it may not be misplaced.

1. Arts Students could have done a better job?

2. A different Allama Iqbal

Well, not different but, certainly not the one we remember from the pictures.

3. People were comparing this to their own art performances 

 

4. Removing it?

Some were even requesting to have it removed because, for them, it is a sign of disgrace to the hero.

5. Sarcasm through poetry…

6. Comparing it to the country

Touche!

7. Yet another comparison

Removing it or not is totally the decision of the authorities, but some improvements can be made to the sculpture. The next move can be to hire a proper sculptor who can try and salvage the statue.

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