The Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation has announced a nationwide protest rally on November 15. Theater activists held a rally in front of the Shilpakala Academy in the capital today, Friday afternoon, to protest the unexpected halt of the play Nitya Puran owing to individual
demonstrations. During the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation’s protest, some people threw eggs at the crowd. The assailants’ names were not immediately revealed.
The Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation. Eyewitnesses stated that it was around 5 p.m., and the Group Theatre Federation event was coming to an end. Mamunur Rashid, a playwright and performer, stated that the play Nitya Puran is a poignant portrayal of societal injustices. “Whatever it is, you have come here…” Just then, there were yells of “Catch them!” “Catch them!” yelled, generating a stir all around.
At that point, eggs were hurled from behind the demonstration toward the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) building. The theater activists at the event got out of their seats and ran in that direction. After a brief ruckus, Mamunur Rashid resumed and completed his remarks. The organizers then proceeded with the rally.
On November 2, a crowd protested in front of the Shilpakala Academy, requesting that Desh Natok’s play Nitya Puran be halted in the middle of its performance. Concerned for the audience’s safety in this situation, the Shilpakala Academy administrators halted the play midway through. In response to this tragedy, the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation planned a rally.
Over a hundred theater activists rallied in front of the Shilpakala Academy’s entrance. After the eggs were thrown at the demonstration, Mamunur Rashid said in his speech, “We will not end this assembly. There will be a play inside, and we will guard the outside. “We will not spare these miscreants.”
Tapan Hafiz, the Federation’s organizational secretary (Dhaka Metropolitan), told Prothom Alo: “Our rally was coming to an end when, suddenly, some miscreants threw eggs from behind.”
In response to this tragedy, the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation has scheduled a statewide protest rally on November 15. They have indicated that a play is being presented today at the Shilpakala Academy, and they would remain at the rally venue until the performance is completed.
The interim chairman of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Lucky Inam, general secretary Kamal Bayezid, writer Masum Reza, Desh Natok leader Professor Moloy Bhoumik, and others all delivered speeches at the event.
The Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation
