Fine Arts arsonist identified, arrest expected before Nababarsha procession
Published: 13 April 2025, 3:37:42
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has identified the individual responsible for setting fire to a motif at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, an act that occurred ahead of the Pahela Baishakh celebrations.
DMP Commissioner Sazzat Ali announced that the suspect is likely to be arrested before Monday morning, in time for the Ananda Shobhajatra procession.
“The person responsible for setting fire to the motif — a symbolic face representing autocracy — has already been identified. We aim to arrest them before the Shobhajatra starts tomorrow (Monday),” Ali stated while overseeing security arrangements for the Pahela Baishakh celebrations at Ramna Park on Sunday morning.
A case has been filed under the Shahbagh Police Station, and the authorities are close to resolving the incident, he added.
The fire, which occurred early on Saturday morning, destroyed several symbolic motifs created for the Bengali New Year celebrations by the Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, including the “monstrous face of fascism” and the “dove of peace.”
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed mentioned that the fire likely started between 4:45 am and 5:00 am, possibly while mobile team members on duty were away for Fajr prayers.
The motif in question, crafted from bamboo and cane, depicted a woman with a toothy grin, four horns, a large nose, and two fearful eyes, leading many to believe it resembled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Film director Mostafa Sarwar Farooki condemned the incident in a Facebook post, stressing that those responsible, regardless of political affiliation, should face legal action.
