In a dramatic turn of events at Bangladesh’s premier cultural institution, Shilpakala Academy, Director General Syed Jamil Ahmed has resigned amid allegations of financial misconduct and undue interference by Cultural Adviser Mostafa Sarwar Farooki.
The resignation was publicly announced on Friday evening at the closing ceremony of a theatre festival, when Jamil Ahmed submitted his resignation letter to Shilpakala Secretary Mohammad Wares Hossain in front of a large audience of cultural figures and festival attendees.
Jamil Ahmed accused Adviser Farooki of repeatedly demanding funds from the academy without proper documentation, claiming that the adviser had requested a cheque for “an urgent project” funding without an official letter.
“About 10 to 15 days ago, Adviser Farooki asked me for a cheque without any formal request,” Jamil said on stage.
He contended that when he insisted on a written request, Farooki told him, “I once held you in high regard, but I can no longer do so.”
The director general argued that such unauthorized and undocumented financial requests undermined the academy’s autonomy, a principle he had staunchly defended since taking charge on September 9.
He also listed several conditions that, if met, could have prevented his resignation.
These demands included the elimination of ministry interference in the academy’s operations, public confirmation of its autonomous status, the non-assignment of a ministry “focal point” to the academy, the right for Shilpakala Academy to use the term “indigenous,” and an additional Tk200 crore allocation for the academy’s work.
The resignation has sent shockwaves through the cultural community, with prominent cultural figures and government officials calling for an investigation into the financial practices and ministry interference at Shilpakala Academy.
‘Blatant lies’
Farooki, in a Facebook post, denied the allegations as “blatant lies” and attributed them to Jamil Ahmed’s inability to manage the bureaucratic challenges inherent in running a government institution.
In a subsequent interview with the media, Farooki reiterated his position, emphasizing that his role as an adviser is to offer legal guidance rather than direct control over funding decisions.
He hinted that Jamil Ahmed’s resignation might be accepted eventually but did not reference the specific conditions demanded by the former director general.
The controversy surrounding the resignation has also highlighted long-standing issues of bureaucratic interference and delays in the decision-making process.
Jamil Ahmed said that the previous council meeting took five weeks for the ministry to approve decisions that should have been made every three months.
His resignation letter, which has not yet been formally accepted by academy officials, underscores his frustration with the system and his belief that the ministry’s constant meddling is hampering the academy’s ability to function as an independent institution.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, board member Samina Lutfa Nitra attempted to mediate the dispute during the resignation announcement, but her efforts did little to allay the rising tensions.
At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that the ministry would issue an official statement soon and that the resignation remains a personal matter for Jamil Ahmed.
The Ministry of Public Administration is expected to review the resignation after the government holiday, with further actions anticipated once the matter is forwarded to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Farooki has promised to provide a more detailed response in the coming days, while Jamil Ahmed’s resignation letter continues to circulate among cultural circles as a stark reminder of the growing discontent among those working within the government-managed arts sector.
Meanwhile, stakeholders across the cultural landscape are calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged financial irregularities and for steps to be taken to safeguard the autonomy of Shilpakala Academy—a key institution in Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.