ASK condemns vandalism of signboard at Dhirendranath Dutta's house

Résumé détaillé

Rights body demands impartial probe, security for Aroma Dutta and withdrawal of archaeology department's order ...

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) today expressed deep concern and condemned recent developments surrounding the historic residence of Language Movement veteran and martyred intellectual Dhirendranath Dutta on the banks of Dharmasagar in Cumilla.

In a press statement signed by Senior Coordinator Abu Ahmed Faijul Kabir, the rights body protested the vandalism of an ownership signboard bearing the name of Dhirendranath's sole heir, Aroma Dutta, by a vested group under the guise of preserving the house and establishing a memorial museum.

ASK also expressed solidarity with Aroma's stance on protecting her property rights and dignity.

Questioning why her privately owned property should be taken, the rights body asked whether alternative initiatives, such as setting up a museum, monument or research centre elsewhere, could be undertaken instead.

Citing media reports, ASK noted that Aroma owns the house by inheritance and has expressed fears of a plot to grab the property. Proceeding with any preservation initiative while ignoring her concerns would gravely disregard her rights, it said. The statement also noted that Article 42 of the Constitution protects citizens from being deprived of property without lawful authority, and pressure from any political party or group cannot legitimise forcible interference.

ASK also voiced concern over the Department of Archaeology forming a committee on November 9 to look into the preservation of the house while controversially labelling it "abandoned" in its official letter. Aroma informed ASK that a regular caretaker had looked after the house until he was forced to leave recently due to intimidation by a vested group.

"Honouring the memory of Dhirendranath Dutta does not mean stripping his heir of her rights," the statement read.

ASK demanded an impartial probe into the signboard vandalism, accountability for those responsible, security for Aroma, and the withdrawal of the Department of Archaeology's flawed office order.

The dispute intensified…

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