Popular content creator Salman Muqtadir has questioned Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed over his remarks on the attack, vandalism and looting at his studio in Dhaka’s ECB Chattar, saying the government’s primary responsibility should be ensuring the safety and security of citizens rather than debating who should have filed a case.
In a new video posted on social media on Sunday, Salman thanked the home minister for describing him as a “gentleman” and said the minister’s comments on freedom of speech had given him the confidence to respond publicly.
Addressing the minister, Salman said the security of every citizen, regardless of age, gender or political affiliation, falls under the responsibility of the Home Ministry.
He questioned the minister’s remark that Salman himself had not filed a case over the incident.
“You are the Home Minister. Every police station and authority is under your department. How did you not know that a case had been filed?” Salman said, adding that he had remained at Cantonment Police Station with several people until around 4 am after the incident.
He said he returned home exhausted and claimed that the case was still not filed until the incident went viral and the home minister made his statement.
“If a case was not filed, why was it not filed even after I went to the police station?” Salman asked, saying he believed the question should be answered by the authorities.
Salman also challenged the minister’s response to his earlier allegation of extortion and his reference to the BNP.
He said the political identity of those involved should not be the primary issue for the Home Ministry, arguing that the central issue was whether citizens were safe.
According to Salman, several people had been detained and evidence had reportedly been collected from the scene, including weapons. He said he had also seen videos from the phones of those detained and heard claims about their political affiliations.
However, Salman said he did not want to make an unverified accusation against the BNP and stressed that he needed to maintain his composure and credibility while speaking publicly.
“I am confused whether you have taken responsibility for the BNP’s PR management crisis or the Home Ministry,” he said, arguing that the ministry’s responsibility was to ensure security irrespective of whether those involved were affiliated with the BNP, Awami League or any other political group.
Salman further said the public was looking for action and assurance of security rather than simply an investigation.
He also rejected the suggestion that he was seeking financial compensation or government assistance to rebuild his studio.
“I don't need anything from you. You don't have to give me money or build my studio,” he said, adding that he believed he was capable of rebuilding it and continuing his work.
Salman said several political parties and activists had contacted him following the incident, but he had chosen not to engage with them because he did not want to turn the incident into a political issue or undermine the trust of the public.
He also criticised what he described as politically influenced coverage of the incident by different news outlets and said some political actors were attempting to use the situation to serve their own interests.
The content creator questioned the significance of the incident taking place in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s constituency, saying the attack on a prominent content creator in such an area raised broader questions about security and the condition of freedom of expression and the arts and cultural sector.
He said his personal loss could be recovered because he could rebuild his studio and continue working, but argued that the larger issue was whether the authorities could provide security to ordinary citizens.
“If you cannot ensure my safety through this incident, that is my loss. I will earn again, rebuild everything and continue my work,” Salman said.
Police have said the incident was linked to a land dispute rather than an extortion case. Assistant Commissioner (Cantonment Zone) Nazmul Alam told UNB that the studio was not the specific target and that the vandalism followed a dispute between New Gini Properties Ltd and the owner of an adjacent plot. Three people have been detained in connection with the incident.
The Home Minister said a preliminary investigation indicated that the incident stemmed from a dispute over around 35 kathas of land involving New Gini Properties and a retired military officer.
The attack took place at New Gini Properties in the ECB Chattar area on Saturday night. Salman’s studio, along with other structures and property at the housing project, was vandalised and looted.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.