Artists’ Society Response: There will be rivalry but there is no place for violence in politics
The fear of violence surrounding the BNP convention on October 28 (2023) has already become a reality. The incident of arson, vandalism and scattered attacks that happened on the day of the rally caused a lot of people including journalists, members of the law and order forces, political activists to be injured.
1 policeman, 1 journalist and 1 other person were killed in the attack, BNP-Jamaat called a nationwide dawn to dusk on Sunday. BNP has announced another 3-day blockade program amid widespread sabotage across the country.
After a long time, the artistic community and cultural people of the country are worried about the recurrence of instability in the political arena. They said violence can sometimes be a political culture. They hoped that the politicians would come to their senses and shun this path of violence to bring relief to public life.
Barta24.com has learned the reactions of prominent theater personalities, producers Ramendu Majumder and Lucky Inam regarding the events that happened in the last two days. Planning Editor Ashraful Islam spoke to them.
Ekushey Medal winning dramatist Ramendu Majumdar said, "Violence is not desirable in any way." We seem to be going back to those dark ages again. I was quite good for a few years. The political tussle was off. It is back again.
"So we strongly condemn what is happening. We want no violence. There will be rivalry but violence has no place in politics. It needs to be established. But due to the situation, it is doubtful whether these words will reach anyone's ears - added Ramendu Majumdar.
Regarding the re-emergence of the Jamaat, which opposes the independence of Bangladesh, this eminent theater personality said, "It has to be suppressed with a very strong hand." The way the Bangladesh government suppressed militancy, this power of darkness must be suppressed with strong hands.
Referring to the protest program of the artists' society against violence in the field of politics, he said, "A program is already underway under the leadership of the ‘Sanmilita Sanskrit Jote’ ‘But if good sense does not emerge among the political forces, then a very difficult time will come for us. We will say this within our limited power.'
Ekushey medal winning actress and Bangladesh Shishu Academy chairman Lucky Inam had a question, how is the artist society looking at the two days of violence? She said, "We are very concerned. We don't expect it. There is always a fear. It appeared in very bad shape. I was very worried all day. I didn't think it would be so bad. Especially our journalist friends were attacked, a policeman was killed; All things considered, the matter turned very bad.
Lucky Inam said, 'Artists always talk about this. Now organizationally we have collective cultural alliances, many organizations including pathnatak parishads, they can think about it. Surely a protest will be organized on this, I hope.
Expressing surprise at Jamaat's aggressive role, she said, "It is a bad signal. There was nothing for so long. It is understood that they had planned inwardly to make some trouble at this time. Their presence is very dangerous. They (Jamaat) have no right. Who did not want this country. Why will they come to anything in the country?'
Lucky Inam said about the protest program of this aggression through cultural medium, "We have been protesting since time." When we see our culture hurt. Disruption occurs. People in our culture never support them. So we can never accept it. Bangladesh cannot stand tall without Bengali language and Bengali culture. So it's a matter of concern for us. We are also talking about taking a program on this.