A shocking act of vandalism occurred in Shariatpur on Friday night, when a portion of the July Memorial was deliberately set on fire. A 17-second video, posted on Facebook by Mohsin Madbor, convener of the district Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), appears to show the incident taking place under the cover of darkness.
The video shows two to three individuals igniting flames on the memorial, which quickly engulfed part of the structure. In his post, Mohsin Madbor claimed that members of the BCL were responsible. The clip quickly circulated on social media, drawing the immediate attention of local activists and law enforcement.
By around 9:30 pm, leaders and members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Youth Force (NJF) arrived at the site, located beside the central Shahid Minar in Shariatpur town. Officials from the district police intelligence unit and Palong Model Police Station were also on site to examine the damage. Observers reported visible burn marks on four sections of the memorial, with flames scorching its central areas.
The memorial, painted in a light orange hue, bears inscriptions honouring the July 36 martyrs and other revolutionary slogans. Activists noted that the memorial’s placement in a busy and highly trafficked area made the attack particularly audacious.
Imran Al Nazir, former convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told reporters: “It is hard to understand how members of a banned organisation carried out such a brazen act in a central, crowded location. Clearly, they received some form of assistance, and administrative inaction emboldened them.”
Kawser Mridha, convener of the Shariatpur district NJF, emphasised: “The July martyrs sacrificed their lives to uphold democracy. Attacking their memorial is unacceptable. We demand that the culprits be identified and prosecuted immediately; if not, public action will follow.”
Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Rownak Jahan confirmed that the police have obtained the video and are conducting a thorough investigation. CCTV footage from surrounding areas is being collected, and authorities have assured the public that those responsible will face legal consequences.
Incident Overview
| Date & Time | Location | Alleged Perpetrators | Damage Observed | Response Agencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 March, ~9:30 pm | July Memorial, Shariatpur | Members of BCL (alleged) | Four burn marks; central sections scorched | District Police Intelligence, Palong Model Police, NJF, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement |
| Video Duration | 17 seconds | – | Fire captured on Facebook | Mohsin Madbor (Facebook post) |
The incident has sparked outrage among political and student groups in Shariatpur, with calls for immediate accountability and stronger protection of public monuments.