Bengali Cultural Institutions Attacked in Dhaka After Death of Youth Leader

Prominent Bengali cultural institutions in Bangladesh have come under severe attack amid escalating violence that erupted following the death of anti-India youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, 2025, in Dhaka. These assaults, occurring in the capital, have raised serious concerns over deliberate targeting of symbols representing secular, progressive, and distinctly Bengali identity, which have long been at odds with radical Islamist ideologies.

The central office of Udichi Shilpigoshthi, recognized as Bangladesh's largest and most influential cultural organization, was vandalized and partially set ablaze on the evening of December 19 in Dhaka's Topkhana Road area. Founded in 1968 by progressive artists and intellectuals, including Satyen Sen, Udichi played a crucial role in promoting Bengali language, arts, and resistance during the 1971 liberation war, earning the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2013; irreplaceable archives, musical instruments, and documents were destroyed despite repeated warnings to authorities.

Chhayanaut, another cornerstone of Bengali cultural heritage established in 1961 specifically to defy Pakistan's ban on Rabindranath Tagore centenary celebrations, faced extensive vandalism and looting at its iconic Dhanmondi premises on the same day. Attackers ransacked the auditorium, damaged priceless musical instruments, destroyed educational materials, and attempted to set the building on fire, striking at an organization that has symbolized cultural defiance and secular Bengali nationalism for over six decades.

Also Read: Indian Visa Application Centre in Chattogram Suspends Operations Amid Security Concerns

These targeted incidents unfolded alongside simultaneous attacks on leading media outlets, including the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as protests over Hadi's killing rapidly spiraled into widespread chaos. Mobs accused these cultural and media institutions of opposing radical elements, while protesters and organization members criticized the interim government under Muhammad Yunus and law enforcement agencies for failing to deploy adequate security despite clear prior intelligence about potential threats.

Observers and analysts have pointed to an emerging pattern that links the violence to hardline Islamist groups historically antagonistic toward Bengali secularism, particularly those with past affiliations to Pakistan during the liberation struggle. The rapid strengthening of Bangladesh-Pakistan bilateral ties under the current administration—including reciprocal visa-free access for diplomats and officials, resumption of direct flights, and new economic initiatives—has intensified speculation of external encouragement in efforts to undermine and destabilize institutions upholding progressive Bengali cultural identity.

Also Read: ‘This Is Not a Farewell’: Yunus Turns Hadi Funeral Into Pledge for Future Bangladesh