Ink Thrown on Memorial Mural of Martyred Mugdha in Brahmanbaria

Unidentified assailants have thrown ink on the mural built in memory of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha, a martyr of the anti-discrimination student movement, in Brahmanbaria. The incident occurred sometime between Monday night and early Tuesday in the Chinair area of Sadar Upazila. The perpetrators remain unknown, and the incident has sparked widespread condemnation in the locality.

Mugdha died after being shot in Uttara, Dhaka, on 18 July 2024. After 5 August, portraits, memorials, and murals were set up in various parts of the country to honour his memory. One such mural stands in front of Chinair Degree College in Brahmanbaria Sadar. Following the vandalism of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image after 5 August, Mugdha’s portrait was placed there.

A local resident, requesting anonymity, said that tensions had been running high due to a dispute between two groups surrounding the college’s freshers’ reception held last Sunday. In the aftermath of that conflict, someone may have thrown ink on the mural to falsely implicate others.

Assistant Professor Ali Azam of Chinair Degree College expressed a similar view. Speaking to Ganomadhyom, he said that a group might have exploited the existing dispute to carry out this act, attempting to destabilise the otherwise peaceful Chinair.

Azizur Rahman, district convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said, “We strongly condemn and protest this act of defiling the memorial of someone who contributed to securing the nation’s second independence.”

Uzzal Ahmed, joint general secretary of the district Jubo Dal, said, “This is a deeply distressing incident, and I demand justice.”

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Azharul Islam of Sadar Police Station stated that police were dispatched to the scene upon receiving the report. He added that appropriate legal action would follow after investigation.

Khaborwala/TSN