“I Didn’t Create Sheikh Hasina’s Motif, I Made a Tiger Motif” – Manbendra Ghosh

Local Correspondent

Renowned sculptor Manbendra Ghosh’s home in Chandir Ghosh Bazar, Garpara Union, Manikganj Sadar, was set on fire by unknown assailants on Tuesday night. The fire destroyed many of his valuable artworks and sculptures, marking a tragic loss for his long artistic career.

Ghosh revealed he had been receiving threats on social media since before Pahela Baishakh. He created tiger motifs and various sculptures for the festival’s joy procession, but some accused him of crafting an effigy resembling former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which he denied. On Tuesday, he filed a general diary (GD) with Manikganj Sadar Police Station regarding these threats, only for his house to be torched hours later.

According to family members and police, the fire broke out in a tin-roofed room at around 3 a.m. Family members contacted the fire service, which extinguished the blaze by 4 a.m.

District Commissioner Md. Monowar Hossain Molla, senior police officials, and CID members inspected the site. Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Salauddin confirmed that a CID team from Dhaka is en route to investigate. Authorities vowed to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.