'Which theatre workers want to stop festival?' organisers ask Cultural Affairs Advisor Farooki

The advisor asks why the Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Festival organisers referred to critics as a “mob” without naming them after the event's postponement

The Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Festival, which was abruptly postponed due to alleged threats, has triggered a sharp exchange between Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and the festival organisers.

In his Facebook post on Sunday morning, Farooki revealed that the Mohila Samity had cancelled the festival's venue allocation in response to pressure from an "aggrieved section" of theatre workers.

According to the cultural affairs advisor, these workers had been opposing the event for some time, demanding the cancellation of the venue booking.

In his post, Farooki questioned the festival organisers, asking why they referred to these critics as a “mob” without naming them.

The festival organisers, in turn, demanded the advisor identify those responsible for the opposition, asking pointedly, “Who are these theatre workers that want to stop the festival?”

Despite taking all preparations, the Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Festival was suspended due to “threats from a group of individuals” on Saturday.

The decision was taken due to security concerns, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Council Convener Thandu Raihan.

After the news was published by bdnews24.com, several media outlets wrote about it, sparking a wave of criticism on social media, with many questioning the reasons behind the cancellation.

“After seeing the news of the festival’s cancellation, we began investigating late yesterday evening," Farooki wrote.

"The government is actively promoting cultural programmes nationwide through Shilpakala. Three exhibitions were held at the Shilpakala even yesterday, and an oriental dance performance is scheduled for today. So why would the police ask for the festival to be shut down?"

Farooki continued, revealing that his inquiry had uncovered a different story.

According to police, no such directive to cancel the event had been issued. In a statement released the previous night, the police clarified that they had never instructed anyone to close the festival, and instead, they were prepared to offer security. "So why the confusion?" Farooki questioned.

The disgruntled theatre workers, Farooki noted, claimed that the festival was being used as a cover for individuals linked to the incitement of violence during the July Uprising, or their relatives, to gather.

"These workers demand that no rehabilitation should be granted to these individuals until they face trial for their involvement in the events of July. Ultimately, the Mohila Samity responded by cancelling the hall allocation scheduled for the following day," said the cultural affairs advisor.

Farooki pointed out that the organisers had not included these specifics in their official statement.

He commented, "Instead of addressing these issues directly, they initially sought to shift the blame onto police. The statement ultimately concluded by attributing the festival's cancellation to a 'mob’."

He went on to question the intent behind the wording, suggesting: "They know exactly who is protesting against them. Is the purpose of referring to them as a mob, without identifying them, an attempt to craft a particular narrative? Or is it that they understand the reasons behind the protests from the aggrieved theatre workers? Everyone can draw their own conclusions about whether their omission of this context is an effort to promote that narrative."

Farooki also raised a pointed question, asking: "Have they felt the need to apologise to the nation for their role in July yet?"

In response to the cultural advisor's remarks, Kamal Ahmed, member secretary of the festival organising council, told bdnews24.com: "We have no knowledge of which theatre workers are opposing this festival. We are unaware of who has threatened the Mohila Samity authorities to prevent us from receiving the hall allocation."

He responded to Farooqui's comments by saying, “Since the cultural advisor has determined through his investigation that only a section of the theatre workers are opposed to the festival, I hope he will share their names with everyone."

Kamal further questioned, “If the police did not instruct us to cancel the festival, then why did the Mohila Samity revoke the auditorium allocation?”

He added, "The advisor should reassure the Mohila Samity regarding security and ensure that we are allocated a venue. We are determined to proceed with the festival."

The festival, which was set to feature 85 theatre groups, was to begin with performances by 14 groups in its first phase.

Kamal defended the festival, noting: "The plays scheduled for this event have been performed for a long time. Even after the changes in July, these plays continue to be staged. So, who exactly is objecting to these performances?"

The festival was scheduled to be inaugurated at 5pm on Saturday at the Mohila Samity auditorium in Dhaka's Natak Sarani. The Liberation War-based play “Payer Awaz Pawa Jay” was scheduled to be staged in the evening. Over the three stages of the festival, 85 theatre groups were scheduled to perform a play each.

The organisers said that a group of people came to the Mohila Samity on Friday evening and raised objections to the festival. They also threatened to attack the festival hall.

Kamal told bdnews24.com, “On Friday afternoon, the official in charge of the Bangladesh Mohila Samity informed us that the Ramna Police Station had asked us to cancel the theatre festival over the phone.”

“We contacted the OC [officer-in-charge] of Ramna Police Station on behalf of the festival committee. In the evening, we met the OC at his office and informed him of the details of the festival.”

Asked whether the festival had been approved by the police, Kamal said: “We do not take permission from the police for the plays we perform in the auditorium. No foreign theatre troupes perform.”

“The troupes whose plays are performed regularly put on plays. There is no need to get any permission from the police or the government for such an event.”

He said the police assured them of security after discussions, and an application was submitted seeking security assistance.

However, the organisers say that after hearing news of the meeting at the police station, “some agitated people” came and removed the festival decorations at the Mohila Samity premises.

Asked who had made the threats and whether they had identified themselves, Kamal: "In the past, a play by a theatre troupe was stopped midway through the show at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Theatre workers then protested against it. We believe that today's incident is a repeat of that incident."

bdnews24.com spoke to several officials of the Mohila Samity to find out about the incident. None of them agreed to comment on the matter without remaining anonymous.

An official at the Mohila Samity told bdnews24.com, "There is fear of an attack on the Mohila Samity over this festival. That is why we have informed the organisers of the situation. They have postponed the festival."

When asked, Ramna Police Station OC Golam Faruk said at 2:15pm on Saturday, “I am in a meeting. I will talk to you later.”

When called again at 3:45pm, he did not respond.

Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of the Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told bdnews24.com, “I do not know anything about this.”