"some climbed over the wall.”
A performance of the play Nityapuran at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy was abruptly halted by Syed Jamil Ahmed.
The decision came due to a protest outside the venue.
In consultation with the theatre troupe Desh Natok, director-general Syed Jamil Ahmed stopped it due to security reasons.
The play, written and directed by Masum Reza, was set to begin as scheduled, with ticket sales commencing on the afternoon of November 2, 2024.
But by 6 pm, a group of demonstrators gathered at the academy’s gates, protesting against Ehsanul Aziz Babu, the secretary of Desh Natok.
They accused him of having ties to the Awami League, the former ruling party.
Tensions escalated as the protesters regrouped outside the theatre, prompting Ahmed to take action.
Initially, he was able to calm the situation and allow the Nityapuran performance to start.
However, as the demonstrators attempted to breach the gates, he made the difficult choice to halt the play.
In a virtual press conference held on November 3, 2024, he explained:
“The decision to stop midway had to be made considering the safety of the audience.”
He expressed concern that the academy itself could be targeted, citing the recent rise in tensions.
During the press briefing, Ahmed recounted his attempts to reason with the protesters.
Despite his efforts to engage in dialogue, the protesters persisted in their demands, leading to the eventual cancellation of the performance.
Ahmed described the moment when protesters breached the gate:
“I even told them to go over my dead body if necessary, but some climbed over the wall.”
The incident drew criticism online, with many questioning why law enforcement was not involved.
Ahmed addressed these concerns, explaining that recent violence had left two protesters injured by gunfire during earlier demonstrations
He emphasised his vision for a “people-friendly Shilpakala Academy”, saying that the institution should serve the public without the need for armed intervention.
When asked about the presence of military personnel stationed nearby, Ahmed firmly rejected the idea of using force against the protesters.
He questioned: “Those who gathered to protest also include people who had been shot and injured. Would it have been right to pit the army against them?”
Reflecting on the experience, Ahmed conveyed a sense of determination.
“Yesterday, I fought a small battle. I tried very hard to ensure that the play would go on.
“However, I have lost a battle but will definitely win the war.”
He reiterated the importance of public responsibility in preserving the arts.
Syed Jamil Ahmed insisted that the arts should not be protected by the military but rather by the community.
He concluded: “I explained that no one should silence the arts. We do not want to become autocrats like Sheikh Hasina.”
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