Disgrace on Victory Day: Miscreants Allegedly Set Fire to Freedom Fighter’s Grave in Shariatpur

SHARIATPUR: Victory Day celebrations in Shariatpur Sadar Upazila were marred by a shocking incident of alleged grave desecration, as miscreants reportedly set fire to the grave of 1971 freedom fighter Abul Mannan Khan in the early hours of the national holiday.

The incident was confirmed by Shariatpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Elora Yasmin, who was informed by the deceased freedom fighter’s daughter during the official Victory Day parade.

According to family members and local sources, miscreants placed firewood on the grave around midnight and set it alight. Abul Mannan Khan’s wife, Mahfuza Begum, discovered ashes and smoke rising from the site early Saturday morning.

The UNO immediately dispatched the Upazila Land Officer to the Niyamatpur village, who found “evidence of fire and ashes on the grave,” though the structure itself remained intact without damage.

The incident has drawn swift and strong condemnation from the local community and administration.

“Setting fire to a freedom fighter’s grave is disgraceful, and the matter will be thoroughly investigated,” UNO Elora Yasmin stated, noting that freedom fighters attending the Victory Day event were outraged by the act.

Afroza Akter, the daughter of Abul Mannan Khan, whose father fought armed against Pakistani forces in 1971, demanded justice. “My father fought with arms to liberate the country, and tonight, on Victory Day, fire has been set on his grave. I demand exemplary punishment for those who have caused pain to my late father’s soul.”

Abdul Aziz Sikder, convener of the Shariatpur Sadar Upazila Freedom Fighters’ Command Council, described the incident as “extremely concerning and alarming” and confirmed the matter has been reported to the district police and administration.