Home Minister not pleased over Salman Muqtadir's remarks involving BNP

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has expressed displeasure over comments made by popular YouTuber Salman Muqtadir involving the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The minister remarked, “On one hand, he (Salman Muqtadir) said on a live stream that no one asked him for extortion money, and that if they had, he would have paid it. On the other hand, he called the BNP an extortionist party. Such statements have no basis. His remarks have sparked controversy.”

The Home Minister made these statements while speaking to journalists today, Sunday, at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Secretariat, amidst widespread discussions regarding the vandalism of Salman Muqtadir's studio.

Late last night, Saturday, an attack took place at New Gini Properties in the capital's ECB Chattar area. During the incident, Salman Muqtadir's studio was also vandalized. Following the attack, he went live on his verified Facebook page to speak about the incident.

Regarding the attack on Salman Muqtadir's studio, the Home Minister said that the police rushed to the scene after receiving a call on the emergency service number 999. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with this incident, and shell casings along with some local weapons were recovered from the spot. The matter is currently under investigation, and legal proceedings are underway.

Addressing the fact that his name was mentioned during the live stream, the Minister said, “He is free to address me directly. That is democracy and freedom of speech. But my question is—has the person making the allegation filed a formal case? He has not done so.”

The Home Minister urged Salman Muqtadir to file a formal case if he has specific allegations. He pointed out that 'If he lodges a specific case, we can investigate it thoroughly. We acknowledge that he has been a victim in this incident. We have conducted a preliminary investigation, and a more detailed investigation will follow. The process of filing a case and registering a General Diary (GD) is underway.'

Noting that the incident location falls under the jurisdiction of Cantonment Police Station, the Home Minister explained that there is an ongoing land dispute between a builder company and the representatives of a retired military officer over a contested piece of land. Preliminary investigations reveal that several individuals representing the retired officer attempted to forcefully occupy the land under the cover of night.

Salahuddin Ahmed added, “They went there and carried out extensive vandalism. A tin-shed structure belonging to Salman Muqtadir was located on that site, which we learned was being used for content creation. That structure was also vandalized.”
Following the damage to his studio on Saturday night, Salman said during a Facebook Live stream that a vast amount of client footage and production equipment was stored inside. The loss of these materials has caused significant financial damage as well as major disruptions to his ongoing work.

Showing the extensive destruction of his facility, Salman said, "Our studio has been destroyed."

He claimed that studios dedicated to creative work, art, and culture of this standard are rare in the country, emphasizing that the destruction of his studio represents a wider loss for the creative community.

Alleging the involvement of BNP affiliates in the attack, Salman questioned, "To the BNP members who are doing this—this is your extortion. Why are you destroying my dream?"

Meanwhile, in response to questions regarding police inaction during a vandalism incident at Radda Clinic in Mirpur, the Home Minister said that allegations of police negligence concerning the midnight event on September 25 have been investigated. Due to negligence, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shah Ali Police Station was immediately withdrawn, and departmental proceedings are being initiated against him.

The Minister added that nine individuals have already been arrested in connection with the Radda Clinic vandalism, and the looted items have been recovered.

Reaffirming that actions will be taken against offenders regardless of their political identity, the Home Minister asserted, "Whatever the political affiliation of miscreants or perpetrators may be, we will not take that into account. Those involved in crimes will be treated strictly as criminals, and legal action will follow."