Historic 132-yr-old Town Club reduced to rubble amid protests in Bogura
Established in 1893, the Town Club was widely regarded as the birthplace of sports in Bogura. Former sports organisers and athletes, noting the club’s non-political nature, expressed dismay over its destruction.
The historic Town Club in the Satmatha area of Bogura city was demolished last night (7 February) during protests that also saw attacks on several political offices.
Established in 1893, the Town Club was widely regarded as the birthplace of sports in Bogura. Former sports organisers and athletes, noting the club's non-political nature, expressed dismay over its destruction.
Yesterday evening, agitated students and locals chanted slogans such as "Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka, Dhaka" as they gathered near the site, located about 100 metres from Sadar Police Station and Sadar Police Outpost.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
At around 6:30pm, protesters entered the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court with a procession and used hammers to break a nameplate of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on the ground floor of the 12-storey building.
Later, at around 8pm, a group of over 200 marched through Station Road and Nawabari Road, before attacking the Bogura district Awami League office on Temple Road.
They vandalised the office with hammers, set it on fire, and ultimately demolished the structure.
During this time, the Town Club and the district office of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) were also demolished.
Protesters removed furniture from inside the Awami League office and set it on fire. Until late at night, they remained stationed in front of the District Awami League and Jasad offices, chanting slogans.
The Town Club demolition met with dismay from sports organisers and athletes, who called the club a non-political entity, known for its football, cricket, and kabaddi teams.
Shahajana Ali Babu, a former footballer, told TBS, "The historic Town Club is an invaluable asset to the people of Bogura. Many players have memories here. Those who demolished it do not know its history and heritage. They would not have done such a thing if they knew."
Md Shahidul Islam, former general secretary of the District Sports Association, described the club as Bogura's first formal sports institution.
"The club won the Kuchbihar Maharaja Tournament multiple times and gained recognition. Many of its players, such as Mahbubar Rahman (Boro Kalu), later played in Kolkata's First Division Football League. Others went on to play for First Division Clubs and the national team," he said.
"Destroying this heritage is like bulldozing the hearts of people in the sports world," a sports organiser said.
They urged the authorities to ensure that the club's land is not misappropriated and to take steps towards its restoration.
