Bangladesh government today removed the Swadhinata Padak of former President Ziaur Rahman from the National Museum. 

Authorities from the Secretariat held a meeting with the acting director of the museum and removed Zia’s crest and other accessories, he said on condition of anonymity.

The BNP founder’s Swadhinata Padak was in the storage facility of the museum along with other artifacts. It was removed and taken away this afternoon.

Ikram Ahmed, acting director general of Bangladesh National Museum, confirmed The Daily Star that the crest and accessories were taken away, but denied to say further.

BNP, who currently holds no position in the parliament after abandoning the last general elections, had been hinting at the government’s attempt to revoke Zia’s Swadhinata Padak.

Swadhinata Padak is the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh in recognition of any person's outstanding contributions any field.