Dhaka, Apr 12 (V7N)- Cultural Affairs Advisor Mustafa Sarwar Farooqui has strongly condemned the early morning arson attack on the central art installation prepared for this year’s Pohela Boishakh celebration at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. In a status posted on his verified Facebook account on Saturday (April 12), Farooqui accused supporters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of being behind the attack and called for swift legal action.

Farooqui wrote, “Sheikh Hasina's friends have burned the face of fascism in the arts in the early hours of the morning. Those who showed this audacity—be it the Soft Awami League or the Awami B Team—everyone of them must be brought under the law, quickly.”

Referring to the torching of the 20-foot-high symbolic structure—interpreted widely as a satirical critique of authoritarianism—Farooqui emphasized that such actions are attempts to suppress the people’s unity and cultural expression.

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—we want to ensure that this procession is even more significant.”

In a direct rebuke to the attackers, Farooqui wrote, “After this incident last night, Hasina's friends have made it known that they do not want the people of Bangladesh to unite and celebrate. We will now be more determined and participate in larger numbers.”

The fire destroyed the main installation that was set to be the centerpiece of the Bengali New Year’s procession, now renamed ‘Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra’ instead of the traditional ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’. The university authorities have yet to determine how the fire started, though it occurred between 4:45 AM and 5:00 AM when security teams were temporarily away for Fajr prayers.

The incident has sparked a wave of outrage across social media and civil society, with calls for accountability and reaffirmed participation in this year’s New Year celebration as a form of cultural resistance.

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