File Photo

DHAKA, Nov 03, 2024 (BSS) - Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy director general 
Syed Jamil Ahmed said the decision to stop the play "Nityopuran" by theatre 
troupe Desh Natak was made to ensure the safety of the audience.  

"Recently, 22 branches of Shilpakala Academy across the country were 
attacked. Considering the things in mind and security of the audience inside 
the hall, we decided to halt the show midway. I went inside and apologised to 
the audience," he told a virtual press briefing describing the incident.

The play was stopped around 6pm after the a group of agitators attempted to 
break through the Shilpakala Academy gate labelling Desh Natak's Ehshanul 
Aziz Babu as an cohort of fascism over a facebook post where Babu shared an 
edited photo depicting some advisers of the interim government as "Razakars" 
wearing them Jinnah caps.

Jamil Ahmed his firm determination to create a "people-friendly Shilpakala 
Academy" built on genuine public support, rather than relying on the 
protection of law enforcement agencies. 

"People should take responsibility for promoting the arts, not law enforcers. 
We want a people-friendly arts academy," he said, adding, "Since I took 
office, I have been saying that the practice of art must be placed at the 
center of society."

Jamil added: "The law enforcement agency members were there to help us during 
the incident, but we did not want to confront them with the crowd. Those who 
want to stage drama should be allowed to do so. The audience will decide 
whether they watch or not."

The whole drama troupe should not suffer because of one person's deeds, he 
added. 

Narrating the incident, Jamil said, "At the initial stage, I explained to 
protesters that more than 200 members of Desh Natak actively participated in 
the July-August mass uprising. Some of them also sustained gunshot wounds."

Being convinced, the protesters get back and the play resumed, Jamil said 
adding, "However, later they started protesting again ... Some people climbed 
over the wall and entered. When the gate was broken, we decided to stop the 
play altogether after talking to the members of Desh Natak."

Earlier on 17 October, Ehshanul Aziz Babu from Desh Natak shared a post on 
Facebook, saying, "Come together to save the country. Let's chant Joy Bangla 
and confront these anti-Bangladesh, anti-independence Razakars."

Babu, in his facebook post, attached an edited photo depicting some advisers 
of the interim government wearing Jinnah caps, labelling them as "Razakars".