Police cases have been filed against approximately 350 people so far in the Chhayanaut attack case. According to Bangladeshi media reports, Dulal Ghosh, the manager-in-charge of Chhayanaut, filed this complaint on Saturday. Police from Dhanmondi station are investigating the incident. Dhanmondi PS OC Saiful Islam told the media that charges of vandalism, looting, and assault have been filed.
Attack on Chhayanaut's legacy
Chhayanaut was established in Bangladesh in 1961to preserve Bengali culture and language. This cultural nerve-center for music and poetry was formed during a period of great turmoil. On Friday, miscreants carried out mayhem at Chhayanaut after protests sparked across Bangladesh following 'Inquilab Mancha' spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi's death. The attack is not only an axe blow to the roots of the country's heritage and culture, but also instantly brought to light the overall condition of Bangladesh. Another cultural center 'Udichi' has also been under constant fire from Yunus loyalists.
Also Read | ‘How such violence can be considered a form of protest?’: Pritam Das condemns violence at Chhayanaut
The rampage on culture
Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed said in a statement that all CCTV cameras, musical instruments, and furniture in the 6-story building were burned down. At least 7 laptops, along with about 4 phones and some hard discs, were looted. Chhayanaut's server was burned.
Also Read | Chhayanaut rampage met with musical defiance: Protesters sing national anthem in protest
The images of the attack on Chhayanaut that have emerged on social media are shameful, to say the least. Broken and burned pieces of harmoniums, esraj, tabla, and tanpura have been scattered all around. After the incident, Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, advisor to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of the interim government, visited Chhayanaut for inspection. At that time, he had said that action would be taken according to the law. On the other hand, it is reported that no complaint has been filed until Sunday morning regarding the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star newspapers.
