Chhayanaut, one of Bangladesh’s most revered cultural institutions, lies in ruins after a violent mob attack and arson early Friday morning in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area.
The assault occurred hours after news of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, poet, reciter, and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, who died in Singapore while undergoing treatment for a gunshot wound to the head.
Around 1:30am Friday, an agitated group of protesters stormed the Chhayanaut premises, vandalizing every floor of the building and setting parts of it ablaze.
The destruction was extensive: musical instruments were smashed and burned, offices ransacked, artworks destroyed, and the fifth-floor library—home to rare books, historical documents, and manuscripts—set on fire.
A visit to the site Friday afternoon revealed charred documents scattered amid piles of broken furniture and debris. Police personnel have been deployed around the building, guarding the entrance and damaged floors.
Speaking to media, Chhayanaut General Secretary Laisa Ahmed Lisa expressed “deep” shock and disbelief.
“We mourn the death of Sharif Osman Hadi,” she said. “But we cannot comprehend why Chhayanaut was attacked in response to his passing. The damage is extensive—some of it beyond repair. We do not yet know the full scale of the loss.”
Police officials on duty said the situation is now under control, with no renewed unrest reported since morning.
The attack on Chhayanaut coincided with similar violence targeting two leading media houses—Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—where protesters carried out vandalism, looting, and arson early Friday. Journalists inside the buildings were trapped for hours.
New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, who rushed to The Daily Star office to stop the attack, was also assaulted and harassed by a group of protesters who accused him of being aligned with the Awami League.
The violence follows days of political tension after Hadi—who was shot on November 12 in Purana Paltan area of the capital following the announcement of the national election schedule—was transported to Singapore for treatment. His death triggered widespread anger and demonstrations across the country.
Government vows action and support
At 2:30pm Friday, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki visited the damaged Chhayanaut building, touring the vandalized floors and meeting with senior members of the organization.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Farooki confirmed that CCTV footage was being reviewed to identify the attackers, and those involved would be brought under the law.
“This was a coordinated act of destruction. The government will provide full support, including financial assistance, to restore Chhayanaut,” he said. “We have asked them to assess the damage and begin planning repairs so the organization can resume activities as soon as possible.”
The adviser said additional security forces—including police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)—had been deployed to protect the building.
Responding to questions from journalists, he described the attacks as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the electoral process. “This is clearly an effort to sabotage the election. Instead of mourning Hadi’s passing, some have chosen to weaponize it for chaos,” he said. “Those who attacked Chhayanaut, Prothom Alo, and The Daily Star do not want Bangladesh to move forward democratically.”
He added that the assault on a cultural institution in the wake of Hadi’s death was “not only a criminal act but a betrayal of the spirit of democratic uprising.”
As investigations continue, cultural activists, civil society groups, and rights organizations have condemned the attacks and demanded swift justice.
For now, Chhayanaut—widely regarded as a guardian of Bangladeshi heritage—stands scarred and silent, its future uncertain, its memories partially burned.
