Chhayanaut building vandalised, set on fire after news of Hadi's death

Members and students say cultural efforts will continue despite attack

Chhayanaut, the iconic Bengali cultural institution, has come under attack by yet-unidentified vandals as Dhaka struggled to breathe in the aftermath of the announcement of Sharif Osman Hadi’s death.

The attack came around 2am on Friday, after Inqilab Moncho confirmed the death of Hadi, who was in treatment in Singapore.

Witnesses said a group forced entry into the building, damaged property and set fire to items both inside and outside the premises.

The assailants were seen wearing helmets and face coverings to cover their identity.

Furniture from Nalonda, Chhayanaut’s educational chapter, was reportedly taken outside and set ablaze.

Some attackers claimed the organisation promoted “Indian cultural practices” and had “no place in Bangladesh”.

Founded in 1961, Chhayanaut is widely known for its role in promoting Bengali culture and for organising the annual Pohela Boishakh, or Bengali New Year celebrations at Ramna Batamul.

The organisation has faced violence in the past. On Apr 14, 2001, a bomb attack targeted Chhayanaut’s Pohela Boishakh celebrations at Ramna Botomul, killing several people and injuring dozens.

Despite that attack, the organisation continued its activities, led by cultural icons Waheedul Huq and Sanjida Khatun, reaffirming its commitment to preserving Bengali culture.

Following Friday’s incident, members and students of Chhayanaut took to social media, saying activities would continue despite the attack.

Dhanmondi Police Station’s Duty Officer Mithun Singha said Chhayanaut was set on fire after the house at Dhanmondi Number 32 - once home to independence leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Police believe the same group carried out the two attacks.

Dhaka has been swept by a wave of arson attacks in the early hours of Friday after Osman Hadi passed away in Singapore while under treatment.

Hours earlier, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus had urged calm and restraint in a televised address at 11pm on Thursday, after news of Hadi’s death broke.

Nalonda alumna Zayba Tehzeeb said on a Facebook post, “Chhayanaut Bhaban is where Nalonda holds classes for its pre-primary and primary students. Their burnt classrooms will bring in rays of sunshine again.”

“We did not stop singing 25 years ago. We will not stop now. Those wounds created my Nalonda – our Nalonda – 25 years ago. This is why we will continue the fight this time.”

“Our songs continue, they will continue,” she wrote.

Chhayanaut alumnus and 2001 bomb blast survivor Riddha Anindya wrote, “You did not succeed then, you won’t succeed now. The people of this country have music coursing through their body, their mind.”

“This is not a new battle for us. Our songs will continue. We know how to burn, but we haven’t learned to die.”

Chhayanaut’s origins date back to 1961, when late founder Sanjida Khatun, defying the opposition of the Pakistani regime, led efforts to celebrate Rabindranath Tagore’s birth centenary, eventually laying the foundation for the cultural institution.