Shawdesh Desk:

Two motifs, crafted for the Barshabaran Ananda Shobhajatra marking the Bengali New Year at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, were burnt in a fire that broke out on the campus on early Saturday.

Among them, one was a representation of the face of fascism, and the other was a dove symbolising peace.

The fire reportedly broke out in the area where the motifs were being constructed.

The motif depicting the monstrous fascist face was completely destroyed in the fire, while the dove was partially burnt.

Speaking to New Age, Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said that the fire broke out between 4:45am and 5:00am, as members of the on-duty proctorial mobile team went to say their Fajr prayers during that time.

‘Later, upon noticing the fire, they informed me. We will review the CCTV footage and take necessary action. Further details will be known after investigation,’ Said the DU Proctor.

The Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University has issued a press release regarding the incident. The notice stated that on April 12 at around 4:50am, an unidentified individual or group set fire to the symbolic fascist motif kept inside the shade near the southern gate of the faculty premises, where the motifs for the procession were being stored.

Several other symbolic motifs were also damaged in the fire, the notice added.

It further mentioned that a general diary had been filed with Shahbagh Police Station to investigate the incident.

The university authorities have also decided to form an investigation committee to look into the matter.