Farooki blames 'Hasina's cohorts' for arson attack on Pahela Baishakh motifs
Two motifs prepared for the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebrations were gutted in a fire at the the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University early today
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has alleged that "Hasina's cohorts" burned two artistic motifs prepared by the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University ahead of the Pahela Baishakh celebrations.
In a Facebook post made on his verified account this morning (12 April), Farooki described the incident as an attack on unity and expression.
Two motifs prepared for the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebrations were gutted in a fire early today. One of the motifs was a humanoid face symbolising "fascism's face," which was completely burnt, while the other — a pigeon symbolising peace — was partially damaged.
"Hasina's cohorts burned the motifs of fascism at Charukala in the early hours of yesterday. Those who showed this audacity – be it soft Awami League or Awami B team – each of them must be brought under the law, quickly," Farooki wrote.
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He further stated, "Those who are working for the Awami League in an attempt to stop this procession, we will not only bring them under the law, but we also want to ensure that this year's procession becomes even more significant."
Referring to the symbolic meaning of the destroyed motifs, he wrote, "After last night's incident, Hasina's cohorts have made it clear that they do not want the people of Bangladesh to celebrate together in unity. We are now even more determined, and we will participate in even greater numbers."
Farooki said many had already noted that this year's procession was shaping up to be more inclusive and distinctive.
"It would be better not to have that monstrous face of fascism here. We, too, were thinking with all kinds of opinions, trying to know the opinion of the university authorities. But after yesterday's incident, the presence of this monster has become even more inevitable."
He concluded the post with the statement, "July is ongoing."
His post was also shared by Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
