DHAKA, April 12, 2025 (BSS) - Pro-BNP white panel teachers of Dhaka University (DU) demanded of the authorities' concerned to ensure exemplary punishment to the attackers who set fire on two motifs being prepared on the Pohela Boishakh celebration on the premises of Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola) early today.

In a statement, the white panel teachers' condemned and protested the fire incident, saying that the setting fire on these portraits created within the four walls of the Faculty of Fine Arts early today was not just a mysterious incident rather it was a planned arson.

"It is more likely that the hands of the fascist dictatorial government or the cronies of the dictatorship are involved in this incident," the teachers mentioned.

Two images - 'Face of Fascism' and 'Dove of Peace' created for the Pahela Baishakh celebrations were burnt on the premises of Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola) early today. The motifs depicting a monstrous fascist face was completely destroyed, while the dove of peace was partially damaged.

DU White Party convener Professor Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan, joint convener Professor Dr. Abdus Salam and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar, among others, were the signatories of the statement.

"Pahela Baishakh, first day of the Bengali Calendar, is a monument to the heritage of the Bengali nation. There are only two days left to celebrate the joyous procession on this occasion. When the preparations for the joyous procession, including the creation of portraits of fascists, were almost complete, the images were torched," they said.

The teachers' leaders also questioned the security arrangements of the DU campus in the event of the fire, saying that there was not adequate security arrangements for the safety of the portraits created on the occasion of Pahela Boishakh's joyous procession.

They categorically demanded for an immediate investigation into the fire incident on DU campus, identifying the real culprits and taking legal action.

The statement also urged the DU administration to further intensify security measures on the Dhaka University campus.

Later, a general diary was filed with Shahbagh Police Station in this connection.