Case filed over arson attack on motif at Charukola

The University of Dhaka administration has filed a case at Shahbagh Police Station following the burning of two symbolic motifs created for the Pahela Baishakh rally by the Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola). 

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday (April 12), has raised serious concerns ahead of the Bengali New Year celebrations.

Shahbagh Police Station officer-in-charge Khalid Mansur confirmed the filing of the case on Saturday afternoon. 

He stated, “A case has been filed in connection with the fire set to the Charukola motifs. We are currently investigating the matter.”

The complaint accuses unidentified members allegedly affiliated with the then ruling Awami League, its youth wing Jubo League, the banned student organization Chhatra League, and other allied groups of orchestrating the attack.

According to the case statement, at approximately 4:50 AM on Saturday, the perpetrators infiltrated the southern gate of the Faculty of Fine Arts and set fire to one of the motifs representing a “monstrous face of fascism.” Police and the university’s proctorial team arrived promptly to contain the fire, which was later extinguished completely by the Fire Service.

As a result of the arson, the motif depicting the “fascist figure” was entirely destroyed, while another motif symbolizing peace, represented by a dove, was also severely damaged.

CCTV footage from the scene showed a young man in a black T-shirt fleeing the area immediately after setting the fire.

Previously, the Charukola authorities had filed a General Diary (GD) regarding the incident at Shahbagh Police Station. 

When visited at 11:30 AM on Saturday, the Charukola premises were abuzz with students and faculty preparing large symbolic artworks for the New Year celebration. Observations revealed that the “fascist face” motif had been completely incinerated, while the dove — a symbol of peace — was visibly charred. A tiger-shaped motif also sustained partial damage, with its tail having been burned.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Additional Commissioner for Crime and Operations, SM Md. Nazrul Islam, remarked, “This was an unfortunate incident that occurred just before dawn. Our preliminary suspicion is that it was a deliberate act. Our detention team is working on the case, and more information will come out following a full investigation.”

He added that initial findings suggest the attackers may have intentionally targeted the anti-fascist motif, and in the process, the peace-symbolizing dove was also caught in the fire. “Our suspicion is focused on those who are ideologically opposed to these kinds of motifs,” he stated.