Freedom fighter's grave torched on Victory Day in Shariatpur
Family members were left stunned and grief-stricken when they went to the grave to pay their respects at dawn and saw the scene.
Unidentified individuals set fire to the grave of a valiant freedom fighter in Shariatpur early today (16 December), on Victory Day.
The grave belongs to freedom fighter Abdul Mannan Khan in Niamatpur village of Angaria Union in Shariatpur Sadar upazila.
Some portion of the grave was reduced to ashes, with burnt debris scattered across it.
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Family members were left stunned and grief-stricken when they went to the grave to pay their respects at dawn and saw the scene.
The matter was immediately reported to the administration and freedom fighter leaders.
Calling the arson extremely unfortunate, Shariatpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ilora Yasmin said she learned about it after receiving a phone call from the freedom fighter's daughter.
The matter will be investigated seriously and necessary legal action will be taken, she promised.
Abdul Mannan Khan, a valiant freedom fighter, died of age-related diseases in 2010, leaving behind his wife and four children.
He was buried with state honours at his family graveyard.
The grave had remained intact and protected for the past 15 years. Every year on Independence Day and Victory Day, family members and locals would pay floral tributes at his grave.
'Insult to the spirit of independence and victory'
The family claimed that setting fire to the grave on Victory Day this year amounts to a direct insult to the spirit of independence and victory.
Standing beside the grave, his wife Mahfuza Begum broke down in tears.
Wiping her eyes, she said, "My husband was a valiant freedom fighter – this is the greatest pride of our family. He fought in the Liberation War to bring independence to this country. I am surviving by holding on to that pride and his grave."
On this Victory Day, an anti-liberation force has set fire to his grave and dishonoured a freedom fighter, she added.
"They have not only insulted one freedom fighter, but denied the entire Liberation War. We strongly condemn this and demand exemplary punishment for those responsible."
The freedom fighter's daughter Afroza said, "On the morning of Victory Day, we came to my father's grave and found it covered in ashes. My heart was torn apart with pain. Today was supposed to be a day of joy, remembering my father's contribution to the Liberation War.
"Who would set fire to the grave of a dead freedom fighter on such a day, and what message do they want to send to the nation? This is the question haunting us."
Meanwhile, local youth Ashiq Khan said, "We hold deep respect for freedom fighters, because of whom we live in an independent Bangladesh."
Attacks on Liberation War memorials and disrespect to freedom fighters in recent times are deeply alarming for the younger generation, he added, saying, "It makes us anxious about where the country is heading."
Abdul Aziz Sikder, convenor of the Shariatpur Sadar upazila freedom fighters' command council, said, "I never imagined hearing such news on Victory Day… Whether alive or dead, all freedom fighters are respected citizens of the country. Hearing that a grave was set on fire makes my heart ache. We will discuss the matter with council members and decide on further action."
