After being posted on social media, the sculpture of the iconic poet, philosopher and scholar, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, went viral, receiving enough backlash to have the Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and park authorities at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park announce its removal shortly after.
The Park’s spokesperson, Nadia Tufail, told The News that the structure is being removed but will be reinstalled with improvements due to the frenzy it’s sparked on social media. Twitter users have protested the sculpture ever since its inception, claiming it to be inaccurate and not representing the legendary figure.
Yasir Gillani, the Chairman of the Parks & Horticulture Authority stated that “This is prepared
by maalis at their own , they made it in shere love for Iqbal and to
pay homage from their heart. Authority didn’t approved or even paid a
single penny for it.”
Although no action will be taken against the two gardeners who worked hard to make the statue, out of their love for Allama Iqbal and the country, necessary improvements are to be made. However, the tweets about the matter have been trending as comic entertainment.
On the other hand, others want it to stay, due to the story behind its creation.
We can commend the efforts put into the structure and the tale behind it, but we wait to see it return back to the park soon!