Cultural activists in Cox’s Bazar have condemned recent attacks on fellow citizens carried out in the name of another country, calling such incidents a matter of deep shame for the nation.
On Monday afternoon, speakers delivered their remarks at a protest cultural gathering at the Cox’s Bazar Municipality premises. Speakers said that attacks on some of the country’s most respected institutions—including leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as cultural organizations such as Chhayanaut and Udichi—are tarnishing Bangladesh’s image on the global stage.
Addressing the gathering, Sourav Deb, general secretary of Udichi Cox’s Bazar district unit, said:
“You are attacking your fellow citizens by invoking the name of another country. People from this very nation founded institutions such as Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut, and Udichi. These incidents have shamed Bangladesh in the eyes of the world.
Organized by various active cultural organizations of Cox’s Bazar, the gathering featured songs, poetry, and dance performances protesting the killing of July fighter Sharif Osman Hadi, the burning to death of Dipu and child Ayesha in Mymensingh, and attacks on media outlets and cultural institutions.
General Secretary of JASAS, Arafat Saiful Ador, said: “Standing on Hadi’s blood, you have betrayed Hadi’s ideals. Hadi once said—if possible, create ten more Prothom Alo, Udichi, and Chhayanaut. Instead, you are trying to destroy them. That only shows you are incapable of building, so you choose to break.”
The programme was moderated by Monir Mobarak, general secretary of the Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi.
Speaking at the event, Rajib Karmakar, general secretary of the Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, Cox’s Bazar, said: “Peace can never be established through extremism. Chhayanaut does not engage in politics; it nurtures humane individuals through culture. An attack on such an institution raises a serious question—do you want an inhuman society?”
Khelaghar organizer Kalim Ullah described the Mymensingh incident as “medieval barbarity,” saying: “People were burned to death after religious fanaticism was incited. Attacks also target those who voice their opposition to such crimes. From the killing of Hadi to assaults on media and cultural platforms, everything appears to be part of the same conspiracy.”
The gathering was presided over by Khelaghar organizer Dhruva Sen and saw participation from leaders and activists of numerous organizations, including Jhinukmala Khelaghar Asar, Simunia Khelaghar Asar, Daria Nagar Shilpigosthi, Rabindra Nath Sangeet Sammilan Parishad, Satyen Sen Shilpigosthi, Udichi Shilpigosthi, JASAS, Aunla Band, Chhailok, Shruti Abritti Angan, Cultural Union, Youth Union, Student Union, and others.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
