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Hasina Fascist Motif Burnt Before Noboborsho Rally
A symbolic face motif of the ousted autocrat Sheikh Hasina, created to represent fascism ahead of the Noboborsho Shobhajatra procession, was destroyed in a fire early Saturday morning. The incident occurred just two days before the Pahela Boishakh celebration on April 14.
The controversial motif—one of seven major installations prepared by students and artists at the University of Dhaka's Faculty of Fine Arts—was completely reduced to ashes. The flames also partially damaged neighboring motifs.
University authorities suspect that the fire may have been deliberately set during a brief window between 4:45 AM and 5:00 AM, when members of the security team were away performing Fajr prayers.
“This act likely took place during that vulnerable time,” confirmed DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed.
A notification from the Dean of the Fine Arts Faculty stated: “At approximately 04:50 AM on April 12, an unidentified individual or group set fire to the symbolic motif depicting the monstrous fascist. It was among several symbolic artworks housed in the temporary structure near the faculty’s southern gate.”
In response, the university has formed a probe committee to investigate the incident. A General Diary (GD) has also been filed with Shahbagh Police Station.
While no group has yet claimed responsibility, the timing and nature of the act have raised tensions ahead of the Bengali New Year celebrations, with many viewing it as a politically charged statement against authoritarianism and censorship.