No Government Response 24 Days After Attack

A harrowing exhibition was held at the central office of Udichi Shilpigoshthi in Dhaka, displaying cultural materials destroyed in a recent arson and attack. The event showcased 57 years of the organisation’s contributions, including documents, musical instruments, theatrical costumes, and stage props, highlighting the extent of the damage to Bangladesh’s oldest and most prominent cultural institution.

The exhibition and press conference, held on Tuesday, emphasised that 24 days after the brutal attack, no official from the caretaker government has reached out to inquire or offer support. Udichi’s acting President, Habibul Alam, and General Secretary, Jamshed Anwar, voiced strong criticism, stating that “not even the minimum sympathy has been extended” to the organisation.

Reading from a prepared statement, Jamshed Anwar said the government’s cultural adviser has remained completely indifferent, raising serious concerns over the state’s commitment to protecting cultural institutions. He described the attack as “well-planned,” involving anti-liberation, extremist, and fascist elements targeting Udichi, which has historically served as a hub for progressive cultural movements.

The attack followed a series of incidents, including assaults on Chhayanaut, Prothom Alo, and The Daily Star on 18 December, and the following day, Udichi’s office was targeted. The sequence, Anwar said, “demonstrates that these were not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate campaign.” He added that public warnings from student political leaders about potential attacks had been ignored, with law enforcement failing to provide effective protection despite prior communication.

Udichi also alleged that the caretaker government deliberately excluded the organisation from annual cultural grants this year, calling the decision “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

Habibul Alam stated that a formal case has been filed and that police and fire services have completed initial evidence collection. Yet no suspect has been identified or arrested. He stressed that unless perpetrators are brought to justice, Udichi, alongside citizens and cultural activists, will mobilise further action.

The organisation has appealed to the public for financial assistance to rebuild its office, providing bank and mobile payment details for contributions:

Former CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim, visiting the burnt office, remarked that the scene evoked memories of 10 November 1971, when Pakistani forces murdered civilians and burned bodies in Betia. He said the attackers “do not respect Bangladesh’s independence.”

The press event was attended by prominent cultural and political figures, including Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Rafiqul Hasan Jinnah, Professor Abdus Sattar, Mofizur Rahman, Nikhil Das, Kamruzzaman Bhuiyan, Kamal Hossain Badol, Dinbandhu Das, Bimal Kanti Das, and Harunor Rashid. The conference concluded with a collective musical performance by Udichi members, celebrating the resilience of culture in the face of violence.