A BNP leader has been accused of occupying the ancestral home of renowned poet and novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay in the Dasar upazila of Madaripur.
The BNP leader allegedly vandalized several photographs, books, and furniture inside the house and later stored OMS (Open Market Sale) rice there.
The accused BNP leader is Sohel Howlader, who was the legal affairs secretary of the BNP's Dasar upazila committee. He resides in the Kazibakai area of the upazila, reports Prothom Alo.
Currently, the position of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in Dasar is vacant.
Regarding this, the UNO of Kalkini, Uttam Kumar Das, said: “A BNP leader named Sohel Howlader had occupied the house and stored OMS dealer's rice there. Before we could take action, he removed the rice. Action will be taken against the occupier.”
Sunil mela begins in MadaripurAccording to local sources and the Dasar and Kalkini Upazila administrations, Sunil Gangopadhyay’s ancestral property in the East Maijpara mouza of Kazibakai Union in Dasar Upazila consists of 7 acres and 15 decimals of land.
Of this, 2 acres and 97 decimals are recorded as government khas land.
Last Saturday afternoon, BNP leader Sohel Howlader and his associates broke into a tin shed room of the novelist’s ancestral home (Sunil Smriti Pathagar), vandalized the belongings, books, furniture, and images, including a picture of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They then stored about a truckload of OMS rice in the room and locked it with a new padlock. They also removed a signboard put up by the deputy commissioner in front of the house.
A local individual responsible for overseeing the writer’s ancestral home, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Since the change in government, Sohel Howlader has been claiming the writer’s land as his own with his people. When some supporters of the Awami League criticized him, he attacked their homes. Now, no one is speaking out of fear. Taking advantage of this, Sohel and his people broke the lock of the tin shed room and installed a new lock. They stored OMS rice there. The local administration and everyone is aware of this.”
“We have received reports that an individual has taken possession of Sunil Gangopadhyay’s ancestral home by breaking the lock. The UNO and AC Land have been instructed to take action against those involved. They will vacate the writer’s house and take necessary steps,” said the Madaripur DC Mohammad Maroofur Rashid Khan.
Condemnation of home occupation
The seizure of Sunil Gangopadhyay’s ancestral home has been condemned by cultural activists and literary enthusiasts in the district.
They demand that the occupiers be punished and that the novelist’s home be reclaimed, preserved, and restored.
Masud Sumon, editor of Goppo, said: “The ancestral home of our beloved and renowned novelist, which is his last memorial, has been occupied. This news has deeply saddened us. It is a very unfortunate incident. We strongly condemn and protest this event. We demand that the administration ensure the punishment of the occupiers and reclaim the seized land.”
Anjuman, general secretary of the Udvas Abritti Sangathan, said: “Sunil Gangopadhyay is not only a pride of Madaripur but of the entire country. The government had planned to establish a Sunil Literary Research Centre and a museum at the writer’s ancestral home. The fact that it has been seized after the change of government is highly unexpected. We demand immediate intervention from the administration to reclaim the writer’s ancestral home.”
Sunil Gangopadhyay was born on September 7, 1934, in his maternal uncle's house in Amgram, Rajair, Madaripur District which was under India during British rule.
His ancestral home was in East Maijpara village of Kalakini in the then Madaripur sub-division
He passed away in Kolkata on October 23, 2012.
