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Published : 07 Aug 2024, 06:16 PM
The arson attack on Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Road No. 32 in Dhanmondi will remain a dark chapter in the history of Bangladesh, and those perpetrators will be punished some day, said Bangabir Kader Siddique.
After Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and left the country, attackers destroyed some statues of the nation’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and then attacked the museum. They looted it and set it on fire.
Every room in the house where the independence architect lived was burnt.
The mural of Bangabandhu at the front of the museum where people used to pay their tribute was also torched.
Kader, a veteran freedom fighter and politician, visited the museum on Wednesday, two days after it was attacked.
"This has been a revolution in the country. I congratulate the students on their successful movement. Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina are never the same. Bangabandhu is the Father of the Nation. He is the greatest hero of our independence," he told the media.
"I should have died before watching the way they destroyed and burned the house at Road 32. Of course, the Awami League did many wrongs. But Sheikh Mujib didn't do anything.
“He brought respect to the Bengali nation. This destruction done today will be a dark chapter in the history of Bengalis."
"Bangabandhu will remain alive (in people’s hearts) for ages. He will be respected forever. Those perpetrators will be booked one day or the other," Kader said.
He said engaging in Awami League politics was not a crime and urged everyone not to attack its leaders and activists.
“You people bring peace to the country and wear a victory mark on your foreheads. I want peace to prevail in the country,” said Kader.
When asked what will happen to the leaders and activists since Hasina has left the country, Kader Siddique said nothing would happen to them.
“This is not a bigger disaster than the one after the assassination of Bangabandhu. They will face fear and trouble for some time but it’ll not be an apocalypse,” he said.
Kader urged the student leaders to save the country from ‘destruction,’ when asked about the arson attacks and looting in the households across the country.
“I urge the student leaders to stop the destruction. Please save the lives of people from minority groups. Maintaining peace and discipline is the biggest responsibility now and I hope you people won’t fail.”
“It’s not the right thing. The student leaders should take responsibility. The administration and especially the army should take full responsibility [to stop attacks.]”
Muhammad Yunus would have to leave in the same manner if he failed to establish peace in the country, Kader said.
He congratulated Yunus on being the head of the interim government.
