Awami League condemns media attacks, warns of deepening national crisis
The party said such attacks reveal Bangladesh no longer meets even basic standards of a modern, civilised nation
Bangladesh’s political landscape has been shaken by a fresh wave of violence that the Awami League says strikes at the very heart of the nation’s democratic and secular foundations. Condemning what it described as a “planned terrorist attack,” the party reacted sharply to a series of coordinated assaults on media houses, cultural institutions and diplomatic missions across the country, warning that Bangladesh is sliding into a deep and dangerous crisis.
In a strongly worded statement, the Awami League said the incidents expose a grim reality: the minimum characteristics of a modern, civilised state are rapidly eroding. According to the party, the attacks were not random acts of vandalism but deliberate attempts to silence independent voices, erase cultural memory and intimidate both domestic and international stakeholders.
Among the primary targets were the offices of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, institutions long regarded as pillars of free and independent journalism. Cultural spaces were also attacked, including Chhayanaut, the revered national cultural institution that has played a vital role in preserving the country’s musical and artistic heritage. Diplomatic establishments were not spared either, with assaults reported on the Indian Assistant High Commission offices in Chattogram and Khulna, as well as the Indian Cultural Centre. Such attacks, the Awami League noted, represent a serious breach of diplomatic norms and international law.
Particularly distressing was the repeated destruction of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 32, a site of immense historical and emotional significance for Bangladesh. The party said the museum was first burned, then bulldozed, and shockingly attacked again even after being reduced to ruins. Calling this a symbol of “perverse and hateful ideology,” the Awami League accused extremist forces of trying to erase the legacy of the Liberation War and the ideals upon which the nation was founded.
The violence was accompanied by brutal acts of communal hatred. The Awami League highlighted the killing of another Hindu youth, who was allegedly beaten and burned to death, calling it a chilling reminder of how minority communities are increasingly under threat. The unrest reportedly intensified following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha, further inflaming tensions nationwide.
“These barbaric attacks and killings constitute a direct and extreme assault on Bangladesh’s secular ethos, the ideals of the Liberation War, pluralism, cultural heritage, and media freedom,” the Awami League said. The party warned that Bangladesh, once celebrated as a pluralistic and sovereign state, is at risk of being transformed into a safe haven for terrorists if such violence continues unchecked.
The statement reserved harsh criticism for what it described as the “indifference and inaction” of the current occupying government. According to the Awami League, the authorities’ failure to respond decisively has emboldened extremist and communal forces. The party alleged that militant groups and their patrons are operating with a sense of impunity, undermining public safety and the rule of law.
Calling for urgent action, the Awami League stressed the need to bring all terrorists, instigators and their backers to justice, insisting that exemplary punishment is essential to restore public confidence. It also urged citizens to remain vigilant and build awareness at every level of society against extremist ideologies that threaten harmony and coexistence.
“The future will never tolerate such reckless displays by the ignorant,” the party said, warning that history will judge harshly those who seek to divide the nation through fear and violence. As Bangladesh grapples with this wave of unrest, the Awami League’s message is clear: protecting media freedom, cultural heritage and communal harmony is not just a political responsibility, but a moral imperative for the survival of the nation itself.