“Is Bangladesh’s Liberation War only Hasina, Mujib, Awami League? Is Bangladesh’s Liberation War only the distorted history of the Liberation War, Hasina’s history, Mujib’s history, Awami League’s history written by Hasina’s cohorts?” – such questions have been raised by a person expressing outrage over the internal environment of Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Memorial Museum in Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar District. His experiences and questions on social media have already created a storm of discussion.

On Thursday (April 3), while on an Eid trip to Kamalganj and Sreemangal, a person named Rabbi Miah described his bitter experience on Facebook. He stated, “Went inside and saw something like a library, the place was quite cool so I was resting. Seeing many books, when I went to take a book, I saw that all the books kept there were about Awami League, Sheikh Mujib, Hasina…meaning everything was done in the name of Hasina’s, Mujib’s, Awami League’s Liberation War, absolutely everything.”

Rabbi Miah further expressed his anger, stating, “This is an internal video of Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Memorial Museum in Kamalganj Upazila of Moulvibazar District. This is inside the museum (related to the Liberation War), where all the books are about Awami League, Hasina, Mujib, but there is nothing about the martyr in whose name the museum is, no sign. Neither any book, nor any book about the Liberation War, nor any book about the heroes! A Birshreshtha’s museum has been turned into an Awami house in the name of a museum until now!”

Rabbi Miah also questioned the mismanagement of the museum and the role of the authorities in charge. He mentioned that inconsistencies were observed in the statements of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members, who are responsible for the museum’s upkeep. When asked about the books, they avoided the issue.

In this context, Rabbi Miah raised the question, “My question is, if BGB is responsible for its maintenance, then why did they tell us yesterday that someone works here on duty? If BGB is responsible, then why will they drive people out? Since this is a memorial museum and government-owned, the public will enter, see, roam, sit, and there will be a specific time for opening and closing – isn’t that so? If this is their responsibility, then surely they are not properly fulfilling the responsibility of the museum…they should be held accountable, and the discrepancy in BGB’s words is suspicious, so it should be investigated whether someone works here on duty.”

He further stated in strong words, “Besides, why are the books of killer Hasina, Mujib, and Awami League still here? Those involved in this should be brought under accountability quickly. This is a memorial museum of a freedom fighter, and since Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman was martyred in this place of Kamalganj, only books related to this and Hamidur Rahman’s books, books on the history of the Liberation War should be kept here. Books of any absconder who started the war in the country on the night of March 25 will not be allowed here, no books of killer Hasina, fascist Awami League will be kept.”

Local residents have expressed strong discontent over the museum’s situation. Rabbi Miah informed, “After hearing about the museum being full of Awami League, Mujib, Hasina’s books, the coordinators of July Biplob of Kamalganj went to vandalize it today. Since I asked them to just bring information without creating chaos, they refrained. The TNO of Kamalganj has apparently asked for 2 days’ time, we want to give 2 days’ time. Within these 2 days, all Awami League establishments, books, history of Hasina, Mujib must be erased from Kamalganj, we don’t want to see any sign of them…”

Conscious locals believe that the Birshreshtha Hamidur Rahman Memorial Museum, which holds the memory of Birshreshtha, should showcase the correct history of the Liberation War and the life and work of the Birshreshtha. Using it as a propaganda center for a particular political party is in no way desirable. They fear that the situation may worsen if proper steps are not taken quickly in this regard.

It is to be noted that no official statement has yet been received from the concerned authorities regarding these allegations. However, strong criticism regarding the matter continues on social media.