The government on Sunday condemned the incident at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and said there will be an investigation into the matter, reports UNB.
“We condemn this incident and hope that the BSA chief will investigate it and will let the government know what exactly happened there,” said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam while responding to a question at a media briefing at Foreign Service Academy.
A journalist drew his attention to incidents of vandalism and arson attacks on Jatiya Party offices. In reply Alam said they condemn any kind of violence. “We don't want to see any violence in the country," he added.
On Saturday, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) had to call off Desh Natok’s stage play ‘Nityapuran’ due to a group protesting outside the National Theatre Hall.
Speaking at a virtual press conference on Sunday, BSA Director General Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed said he had to stop the play considering the audience's safety at the theatre.
BSA is currently hosting its flagship “Jatra Festival” at the Suhrawardy Udyan open stage (Mukto Moncho), and BSA DG Jamil was there on Saturday night.
He immediately reached the National Theatre Hall gate after hearing about an angry mob protesting against Desh Natok troupe's Secretary Ehsanul Aziz Babu for a Facebook post “insulting” the Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the interim government.
Due to abruptly stopping the play, Jamil and the academy faced some criticism on social media from netizens and theatre artists-activists. Addressing the incident, Jamil said, “We had to take that action which seemed necessary at that point, considering everyone’s safety.”
Regarding the criticism sparked due to the halting of the play, the BSA DG said, “Even though I tried to calm the mob, they were trying to take over the stage, climbing over the wall and even breaking the gate, so we decided to stop the play after talking to the members of Desh Natok. I have tried a lot to ensure that the show must go on. I admit—I have lost a battle but will win the war, if you all stand by our side.”
In answer to a journalist's query about why the army did not intervene to manage the turmoil, Jamil said, “The law enforcement forces were there and were aware of the situation, but we did not want to put them face to face with the mob. However, they ensured the safe exit of the audience and theatre personnel.”
bd-pratidin/Rafid
