NCP activists break signboard demanding preservation of Dhirendranath Datta's house

In Cumilla, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has demanded that the historic residence of language movement veteran and martyred freedom fighter Dhirendranath Datta be preserved and a memorial museum established there. Activists of the party's metropolitan branch broke down a signboard put up in front of the house claiming ownership of the land.

The incident took place on Friday night (7 November). A video of the signboard being broken spread on social media, sparking discussion and criticism.

According to local sources, the demand to renovate and preserve Dhirendranath Datta's house at Dharmasagarpar in Cumilla city, and to set up a memorial museum there, is longstanding. Although various quarters have called for action on this, it has not been implemented. Recently, Arma Datta, the granddaughter of Dhirendranath Datta, put up a signboard in front of the house claiming ownership of the land.

On the signboard, describing herself as the rightful owner by inheritance, she wrote: 'The real owner of this land by inheritance is Arma Datta. Father: late Sanjib Datta. Plot No. 1800, Mouza Chhotra, Cumilla.'

NCP activists alleged that efforts are under way to sell the historic house and that its old structures have been removed. They demanded that the house be preserved as an archaeological monument and national heritage. They said the signboard was removed as part of stopping the move to sell the house.

Witnesses said that on Friday evening (7 November), NCP activists gathered in front of the house. They spoke about the historic importance of the structure and the need to preserve it, and then broke down the signboard claiming ownership.

Arma Datta, the granddaughter of Dhirendranath Datta and a former member of parliament from a reserved women's seat, expressed anger over the incident and described it as sad. She said, 'This is our ancestral property. I am its lawful heir. The people of Cumilla know this too. So what I do with this land — whether I keep it or sell it — is entirely my personal matter.'

Describing the breaking of the signboard as sad, Arma Datta said she would inform the administration about the matter.

After the incident, a press release signed by Masumul Bari Kawser, member secretary of the NCP's Cumilla metropolitan branch, was issued at night. It said that the house associated with the memory of Dhirendranath Datta is no ordinary structure; it is an important national asset linked to the history of the language movement and the Liberation War. It therefore cannot be a matter of private buying and selling. The party also said it would submit a written application to the government and the relevant authorities demanding that the house be preserved through state initiative.

At around 10 pm, Masumul Bari Kawser said, 'We broke the signboard to protect a historic house. There is no other purpose here. I hope the government and Arma Datta, as the heir, will stand with us in this work. If anyone tries to sell this place or build a multi-storey building here, we will resist it together with the people.'

Touhidul Anwar, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said no one has yet informed him about the breaking of the signboard. He said an investigation would be carried out if a complaint is received.

It may be mentioned that on 23 February 1948, Dhirendranath Datta raised the demand in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly to make Bangla a state language alongside Urdu and English. On the night of 29 March 1971, the Pakistan Army took him and his son Dilip Kumar Datta from their home in Cumilla. They were never found again.

In recognition of his contribution to the language movement and the Liberation War, he was awarded the Independence Award posthumously in 1997. His granddaughter Arma Datta was a member of parliament from a reserved women's seat in the 11th and 12th national parliaments.