CA urges swift conversion of Gonobhaban into museum to preserve uprising history

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on officials concerned to expedite the conversion of the Gonobhaban, the former residence of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, into a museum to commemorate the July-August mass uprising.

"The museum should preserve the memories of her misrule and the anger people expressed when they ousted her from power," he said during his visit to Gonobhaban on Monday (28 October).

He also said that a replica of the "Aynaghor" (mirror house), a facility used by security agencies to secretly detain and torture dissidents during AL regime, should also be built at the museum.

The Aynaghor should serve as a reminder of the suffering endured by those detained, he added.

Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan, Nahid Islam, and Asif Mahmud accompanied Yunus on the visit. Yunus directed the advisers to consult museum experts and finalise proposals by December.

Nahid Islam, a student leader turned adviser, mentioned that the misdeeds of Hasina's regime, which began in 2009, would be meticulously documented in the museum.

He noted ongoing consultations with international experts on how other nations have commemorated their revolutions and uprisings.

In response to whether secret detention centres like the Aynaghor would also be converted into museums, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said, "No decision has yet been made regarding what will happen to the places where these Aynaghor were located."

He added that the museum at Gonobhaban would become a symbol of torture, giving future generations a deeper understanding of the suffering endured.

Addressing questions about the Aynaghor operations, Azad noted that a commission has been formed to investigate how many individuals were detained and tortured, and who was responsible.

He clarified that no specific force had been solely held responsible, adding, "Those who are individually or collectively responsible for this will be brought to justice, which this government has already announced."

On 5 August, hundreds of thousands of protesters stormed the Gonobhaban moments after Hasina fled to India. They expressed their anger by drawing graffiti and writing messages on the walls, such as "Khuni Hasina" (murderer Hasina).

Special cell formed to preserve revolution history

In a related development, the government has established a "special cell" to preserve the history of the July-August uprising.

According to an office order issued by the Cabinet Division on Monday, the cell will be led by a senior official and consist of a ten-member team.

The cell's responsibilities include finalising a comprehensive list of martyrs and the injured, providing medical treatment, and assisting families.

"To preserve the history of the student and people's revolution of July-August, finalise a complete list of the martyrs and the injured, provide medical treatment for the injured, and assist their families," the office order read.

Members of the cell include student representatives Abdullah Salehin Ayon and Cynthia Jahan Ayesha, and a representative from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's Press Information Department.

The cell will support injured individuals in receiving proper medical treatment and assist the families of the martyrs.

Additionally, it will help the Ministry of Health arrange overseas treatment if necessary for seriously injured individuals.

The cell will also create documentaries or informational films about the uprising, verify media reports, and take corrective actions if false information is found.

The Finance Division will provide funding for the cell's operations, which will be drawn from grants allocated to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The Cabinet Secretary and the Senior Secretary of the Health Services Division will oversee the activities of the special cell, as stated in the order.