Artists, students and teachers at a human chain on Wednesday protested at burning of artist Manabendra Ghosh鈥檚 house in Manikganj allegedly by unidentified miscreants.
Around 100 people, under different banners including Dhaka University Fine Art Faculty, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad and Students of the FFA of Dhaka University formed the human chain and protested in front of Zainul Gallery at about 3:30pm, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the incident.
They said that artist Manabendra Ghosh filed a general diary after receiving threats on social media but police could not protect his house and studio that was attacked and set on fire on Wednesday midnight.
They also said that artist Manabendra Ghosh received threats for creating motifs for Barshabaran Ananda Shovajatra from various Facebook posts and messages but police did not take any steps to ensure his security.
Artist and university teacher, Sanjay De Ripon said that after organising the traditional procession many teachers including the FFA dean, alumni and current students received threats from different groups.
Assistant proctor Md Israfil Prang, artist Chinmoyee Sikder Poppy, Debashis Pal and Mizanur Rahman Fakir, among others, spoke at the event.
At a separate event, DU Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad demand punishment for those involved in the incident.
Jahid Jamil, a student of DU Fine Arts for 2015鈥�16 session, said that they stood in solidarity with artist Manabendra Ghosh, affirming that any assault on artistic expression would not be tolerated.
They want justice for every single matter, including the burning of 鈥楩ace of Fascist鈥� motif a few days ago, Jamil added.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Manikganj reported that the family of artist Manabendra Ghosh claimed that some unidentified miscreants set fire to his house at around 2:30am when they were asleep.
鈥楾wo days before the Pahlea Baishakh, propaganda was being spread about me on social media claiming that I was making the sculpture titled Face of the Fascist resembling ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina,鈥� Manabendra Ghosh said, adding that various Facebook accounts, pages and group聽 have targeted him by giving his location and photos.
鈥業 did not make the face of Sheikh Hasina, but rather the tiger for the procession,鈥� Manabendra said, adding that the propaganda was a conspiracy against him and his family which created security concerns.
Manabendra also said that he wanted government intervention for his safety. 聽
Superintendent of police of Manikganj, Yasmin Khatun, said that police had already visited the scene.
鈥楢 case has been filed in this regard and police have already started investigation,鈥� said Yasmin Khatun.
Manikganj deputy commissioner Monwar Hossain Mollah said that the exact reason behind the fire would be determined through investigation.
The DC also said that the burnt house would be rebuilt at the initiative of the district administration.
The chief adviser鈥檚 press wing on Wednesday issued a statement which said that law enforcement agencies were investigating the fire incident at the house of artist Manabendra Ghosh.