Expressing satisfaction over the Ramna Batamul case verdict, Chhayanaut President Sanjida Khatun said yesterday that the bomb blasts during the Pahela Baishakh celebration had actually been an attack against the cultural practices of the country.
“We did not realise that there could be an attack against the traditional cultural festivities of the country. We were shocked by the deaths,” she told reporters at the capital’s Chhayanaut office yesterday.
On the same day, a Dhaka court ordered death sentences for eight members of the outlawed Islamist outfit Huji and lifeterm imprisonment for the six others accused in the case.
“A long period has already passed. Yet we are satisfied that a verdict has been given, no matter what it is.
“We have to comply with the judgement. The investigation was a police matter and the judgement a matter of the court. We do not have anything to say regarding the trial.
“Our comfort is that a judgement has come through legal ways. There is a rule of law in the country and the people going against the law will have to face legal actions. We will comply with that,” she stated.
“Chhayanaut does not have any reaction over the judgement,” she added.
Sanjida said the people’s spontaneous participation in the Bangla New Year celebration programme has not decreased, rather it had increased.
“After the incident, people are coming out in greater numbers to celebrate Pahela Baishakh. Their interest and outburst have not tamed. We cannot agree with the statement that the celebration is being hindered after the bomb blasts,” she said in reply to a query.
The increasing participation is a test of courage and humanity among the Bangalees. “This is a significant step towards the cultural movement of the country,” she said.
When asked about the quick implementation of the verdict, Sanjida said, “There are matters involving investigation and the government’s inclination is also important in executing the verdict as early as possible. There are so many cases pending with the courts which have been delaying the process. So there is nothing to say.”
In response to another question on the government’s inclination, the Chhayanaut chief said, “The judgement has been delivered and it is a positive move.”