Theater activists pledge to continue protests |

Theater & Art

Sat Nov 9, 2024 7:25 PM
Last updated: Sat Nov 9, 2024 7:36 PM

Sat Nov 9 2024 19:25 Last update: Sat Nov 9 2024 19:36

Photos: Kazi Rakib and collected

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Photos: Kazi Rakib and collected

Today, activists of the Bangladesh Group Theater Federation (BGTF) organized and participated in a press conference at the seminar room of the National Theater Hall, in response to the unwarranted attack on activists during a protest at the National Theater Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA ) yesterday. The meeting emphasized the urgent need to protect the country’s cultural sector so that theater activities can resume without fear.

According to reports, those who attacked the gathering of activists at BSA on Friday also returned today. This time, they protested in front of the gate of Shilpakala Academy, chanting various slogans. During this time, the police and military took two people into custody.

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A police official, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We have detained two persons involved in the incident for questioning. They are not connected to the theater community and are assumed to be outsiders. Depending on the investigation, they may be arrested or released. Further updates will follow later.”

Photos: collected

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Photos: collected

Last Friday (November 8), the BGTF organized a protest against the cancellation of the play “Nityapurana” on November 2. During the demonstration, when playwright Mamunur Rashid addressed the audience to deliver a speech, unknown assailants threw eggs at him and fled as theater activists chased them.

After the attack, Rashid, visibly unfazed, addressed the crowd from the podium and said: “Those who took part in this shameful act – why did you run away? Come forward, let’s play theater together!’

Despite the presence of security forces, Mamunur Rashid expressed frustration over their lack of intervention, saying, “What kind of security will we get if this incident could happen right in front of the authorities? Those responsible should receive exemplary punishment.”

At today’s press conference, several leading figures from the theater community, including playwright and director Masum Reza, BGTF Secretary General Kamal Bayezid, actor-director Tapan Hafiz, actor Kamal Ahmed and former Secretary General of the Federation Akhtaruzzaman, called for the implementation of strict security measures to protect performers.

Photo: Kazi Rakib

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Photo: Kazi Rakib

Secretary General Kamal Bayezid issued a statement on behalf of the BGTF in which he said: “Why did the security forces fail to arrest the miscreants immediately after being notified? We consider the attack on Mamunur Rashid as a direct threat and conspiracy against the country’s cultural practices and it must be condemned without delay.”

“We urge the authorities to take swift action and take strict punitive measures against all threats targeting the cultural sector. No free cultural practice can thrive without ensuring the safety and security of cultural activists,” Bayezid added.

Notably, Kamal Bayezid also announced from the protest stage that all theater practitioners across the country would wear black badges for the next seven days. A nationwide protest is planned for November 15 to condemn the incident, and further actions will be announced if the situation worsens

Photo: Kazi Rakib

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Photo: Kazi Rakib

Theater personality Masum Reza condemned the attack, saying: “A few miscreants threw eggs and ran away. We, as theater activists, strongly condemn this cowardly act. The perpetrators should be arrested. We should not stop staging plays out of fear. We must continue to perform every day.”

Khandaker Shah Alam, program secretary of the Group Theater Federation, emphasized that there was no conflict between theater activists and the ongoing student protests against inequality. “We believe that those who attacked our peaceful protest were not part of the anti-discrimination student movement,” he said. “But what have theater activists done to deserve such an attack? We are simply protesting injustice.”

He called on the interim government to confirm whether theater practitioners would be allowed to continue cultural activities across the country in the future.

In a written statement, theater practitioners from the Group Theater Federation questioned why the attackers had not been arrested despite law enforcement officers being present at the scene. “The authorities must explain why the attackers have not yet been arrested. We have photos and videos of the attack. There is sufficient evidence to identify and arrest them.”

During the conference, Tapan Hafiz added: “The police contacted us asking whether we recognized the attackers or suspected anyone. We have already told them that there are photos and videos of the incident in the media so that they can investigate and take action. “

Photos: collected

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Photos: collected

Actor Kamal Ahmed echoed these sentiments and pointed out that Shilpakala Academy, where the incident took place, was responsible for providing security. “Our job is simply to conduct and orchestrate events on the Shilpakala premises, so the responsibility for taking legal action against security breaches naturally lies with the BSA. We have photos and videos of the attackers breaking the gates and attacking the compound. We are ready to work with law enforcement to obtain appropriate justice.”

Noted theater activist Jhuna Chowdhury reflected on the post-July period and stated that a faction has been trying to destroy Bengali culture for a long time. “They are a coordinated group that continually opposes our history and traditions. Many cultural activists took part in the July and August uprisings, and several were injured. Those who label us as anti-revolutionary are simply trying to hinder our cultural movements. may do that again.”

Earlier, on November 2, an unexpected disruption at the National Theater Hall of Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in Bangladesh led to the sudden cancellation of the play “Nityapurana”.

A group of protesters gathered outside the venue, led by Syed Jamil Ahmed, director general of Shilpakala Academy, in coordination with the play’s theater group, Desh Natok, to stop the performance.

Ahmed later addressed the decision during a virtual press conference, stating that the show was canceled to ensure the safety of the audience, performers and property. The cancellation sparked public debate and criticism.