The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for the preservation of the historic residence of language movement pioneer and martyred Liberation War hero Dhirendranath Datta in Cumilla, proposing that the property be converted into a memorial museum.
The demand followed an incident on Friday night when leaders and activists of the party’s Cumilla metropolitan unit gathered outside the house and demolished a signboard installed on its premises. They claimed that attempts were being made to sell the historically significant property, which is associated with Bangladesh’s Language Movement and Liberation War.
Several videos showing the incident have circulated on social media. The action, however, has drawn strong criticism from Arma Dutta, Datta’s granddaughter and a two-time former Member of Parliament representing a reserved seat for women.
On Saturday morning, the signboard was seen hanging again on the northern wall of the property.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Arma Dutta said the house was her family’s ancestral property and that decisions about its future rested with the family.
She questioned what the state had done over the past 50 years to preserve her grandfather’s legacy, arguing that the family had the right to decide whether the property should be retained, developed or sold.
Arma Dutta also alleged that an organised group was attempting to take control of the property. She claimed that, having failed to achieve its objectives independently, the group was now using the NCP to advance its interests.
She reiterated that residents of Cumilla knew the property belonged to her family. Describing the demolition of the signboard as regrettable, she said it had been legally installed and that removing it under cover of darkness was unacceptable.
Local residents said demands to renovate and preserve the historic residence and establish a memorial museum there had been raised several times in the past. However, despite repeated calls, no such initiative had materialised.
Recently, Arma Dutta installed a signboard at the property asserting her ownership through inheritance. She is the daughter of Sanjib Datta, the only son of Dhirendranath Datta.
NCP leaders said they removed the signboard out of concern that the historic property might be sold. They also claimed that the original structure of the residence had already been demolished, raising further concerns about the preservation of the site.
In a statement issued on Friday night and signed by Masumul Bari Kawsar, member secretary of the NCP’s Cumilla metropolitan committee, the party described the residence as much more than an ordinary building. It said the property formed an important part of Bangladesh’s national history, particularly its Language Movement and Liberation War.
The party called on the government to take immediate steps to protect the property and preserve its historical significance. It also announced that it would submit a written application to the relevant government departments and authorities seeking intervention.
Responding to the allegations, Kawsar told The Daily Star that the signboard had been demolished solely to protect the historic residence and that the party had no other intention.
He said the NCP expected cooperation from both the government and Arma Dutta, as the property’s heir, to ensure its preservation.
Kawsar also warned that if anyone attempted to sell the land or construct a multi-storey building there, the party would mobilise local residents to resist the move.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the longstanding debate over the future of historically significant properties in Bangladesh, particularly those held under private ownership. While the NCP argues that the residence should be protected as part of the country’s collective heritage, Arma Dutta maintains that her family’s ownership rights must be respected.
Dhirendranath Datta occupies an important place in the political and linguistic history of the region. In 1948, as a member of Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly, he made a historic demand for Bengali to be recognised as one of the official languages of Pakistan. His proposal challenged the exclusion of Bengali from the assembly’s official proceedings and became an important milestone in the struggle for linguistic rights.
During the Liberation War in 1971, Pakistani forces arrested Datta along with his son, Dilip Kumar Datta. Neither was ever seen again, and both are believed to have been killed.
His contribution to the Language Movement and his sacrifice during the Liberation War have made him an enduring figure in Bangladesh’s national history. His role in advocating for Bengali as an official language remains particularly significant in understanding the origins of the country’s linguistic rights movement.
The dispute over his former residence has therefore raised broader questions about the responsibility of the state and society to protect buildings associated with prominent historical figures. It has also highlighted the challenges of balancing private property rights with the preservation of national heritage.
For now, the future of the property remains uncertain, with the NCP pressing for a memorial museum and the family asserting its right to determine the land’s future.
Contacted about the incident, Towhidul Anwar, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said the police would investigate the matter if a formal complaint was lodged.
