Artists and cultural activists gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar around 3pm on Saturday to demand reforms and measures to support the artist community.
The Visual Media Artists Society, Photographers Society, Angry Theater Workers, and Get Up Stand Up (Bangladesh Musicians Society) collaborated on this program. Photographer Shahidul Alam, musician and actor Probar Ripon, TV and film actress Saberi Alam Motaher, and many other artists and activists were present.
The program of artists and cultural activists was organized under the slogans “Notun Bangladesh, Notun Prattay” (“A New Bangladesh, A New Aspiration”), “Unity in Free Thinking and State Reform,” and “Build a Country of Harmony and Solidarity."
Central to the program were demands for reforms, including changes to the Cybersecurity Act, support for the arts community, ensuring the safety and security of artists, and the establishment of a completely independent film commission.
"Revolutionary greetings to all participants in the bloody mass uprising of students. This is not just a time for celebration or merriment; it is time to rebuild the state. Just as we relied on the students during the movement, we want to build a non-communal Bangladesh, representative of all, by supporting them in the reconstruction of the state," said the organizers in an earlier press briefing.
Photographer Dr. Shahidul Alam said: "I speak as a photographer. We witness the times, we document them. There’s a lot happening right now that needs to be documented, and much has already been documented. The times we are going through are and will be misinterpreted. There will be many attempts to distort the truth. We will try to counter that, but we need your support. As significant as it is that we have reached this point, it would be equally significant if we were to lose it. We must ensure that we do not miss this opportunity, and that no dictatorship, in any form, no family-based politics, invades our country ever again. This is truly a people's victory, and the people must seize it."
Poet and singer Probar Ripon said: "In the last 15-16 years, we have delved so deeply into metaphorical places that we no longer understand our own songs or our own poems. Am I wearing the mask properly? Because I don't want to get arrested or have our concert attacked. Now is our time to say what we want to say. Criticize those who are in power now, which is objective criticism. Those of us who are musicians or our seniors who haven't spoken for so long have forgotten how to speak! Rappers, instead, have shown us that we need to speak with and for the people."
Fashion designer Edila Farid Turin announced the demands on behalf of the organizers.
Their demands are as follows:
- Ensure the safety of all artists and provide a secure environment for them to return to work.
- The Cybersecurity Act should be declared obsolete.
- A completely independent film commission needs to be established.
- All types of movies must undergo censorship.
- A modern and time-appropriate film institute must be established.
- All cinema halls must be repaired, and appropriate measures must be taken to ensure their safety.
