Bangladeshi film societies and film activists collectively organized a protest and human chain on Saturday, in front of Tarek Masud-Mishuk Munir memorial, which is located on the road-island near the Shamsunnahar Hall of Dhaka University.
Film-maker and Federation of Film Societies of Bangladesh General Secretary Belayet Hossain Mamun, human rights activist Dr Hameeda Hossain, film-maker Catherine Masud , film researcher and Professor Dr Fahmidul Haq and film-maker Prosun Rahman gave speeches for forming the human chain. Film-makers, film activists and artistes who made up the human chain include Mosihuddin Saker, Abu Sayeed, Jaid Aziz, Dr Jahirul Islam Kochi, Palash Rasul, Humaira Bilkis, Tasmiah Afrin Mou, Sulekha Chowdhury, Mir Shamsul Alam Babu, Moniruddin Topu, Mridul Mamun, Rodela Nirupama, Habibur Rahman, Khandaker Sumon, Audrey Hridoesh, Abir Sreshtho, Chaitali Somaddaer, Otnu Patwari, Sadek Hossain Sonny, Hafizul Alam Upon, Ripon Kumar Das, Souda Akhter, Rasel Ahmed Rony, Bidrohi Dipon, Humayun Kabir Shuvo, Sangita Aparajita and many other young film-makers and film activists.
In the speeches the film activists said: “There is anarchy on the streets for a long time. We are being ploughed down. Our flesh and blood is being layered on the roads. Our dreams, our lives are getting stalled on the road.
“These roads were made by men; this spread of death is also made by men… and these men are laughing at Bangladesh’s justice system, at our laws, and at the road management authorities. Hearing the guffaw of these monsters we have taken the streets. Their snigger is making the children and teenagers come to the streets.
“A human life is most valuable, and it is not meant to be slathered on the black pitch of the roads. The deaths occurring on the roads of Bangladesh are not mere accidents, but murder. When the state allows untrained drivers, vehicles that fail the fitness test, unlicensed drivers, drug-addicted drivers and helpers to run rampant on the streets, then the deaths cannot be termed as accidents.”
The silent human chain began at 5pm. From 6pm the speeches began. After the speeches, at 7pm one minute of silence was observed for the lives lost in the road accidents.
