Dhaka – Two of Bangladesh’s most prominent cultural organisations, Chhayanaut and Udichi, have recently been targeted in violent attacks that have shaken the country’s artistic community and highlighted the growing tensions between Islamic and Bengali identities. The assaults, carried out on 18–19 December, included arson and vandalism, leaving the offices of these historic institutions damaged and iconic portraits of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam defaced.
Chhayanaut and Udichi, both founded in the 1960s, played pivotal roles in promoting Bengali music and culture during Bangladesh’s liberation struggle. Despite the attacks, the organisations have resumed their activities, drawing public support and calls for the protection of secular, democratic values.
The attacks coincided with violent unrest in Dhaka and other cities following the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader in the 2024 student uprising. In addition to cultural institutions, two major media houses were targeted, and a member of the Hindu minority was lynched, raising concerns about the country’s political trajectory as it approaches the national elections scheduled for February 2026—the first since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from office in a student-led revolt in August 2024.
Although responsibility for the attacks remains unconfirmed, authorities suspect radical Islamist groups. Prior to the violence, Mostafizur Rahman, a student leader from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, identified Chhayanaut and Udichi as institutions that must be “crushed” to achieve “true independence,” though he later claimed this referred to ideological rather than physical action.
Critics have also condemned the interim government for failing to protect these institutions despite warnings of potential attacks. Amit Ranjan Dey, Udichi’s general secretary, described the assaults as part of a broader campaign to undermine Bengali culture and replace it with a radical Islamic identity.
The two organisations have faced repeated extremist attacks in the past:
| Institution | Year Founded | Members/Students | Major Previous Attacks | Casualties | Perpetrator Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chhayanaut | 1961 | 4,000+ | 2001 Bengali New Year bombing | 10 dead | Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami |
| Udichi | 1968 | 15,000 | 1999 Jessore bombing, 2005 Netrokona attack | 18 dead | Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh |
The material damage from the latest attacks is considerable; Chhayanaut alone estimates losses of 24 million taka. Yet, leaders emphasise that the psychological and cultural impact—artistes retreating into homes out of fear—is far greater.
Despite these challenges, both organisations have vowed resilience. On 20 December, Udichi members held an open-air performance outside their vandalised office in Dhaka, signalling their determination to continue defending Bengali music and culture. “When your back is to the wall, retreat is no longer an option. We have no choice but to move forward,” said Mr Dey.
Bangladesh’s cultural activists are thus standing firm, using music not only as a form of protest but as a symbol of enduring national identity and resistance.