The Group Theatre activists said the government re-imposed the Dramatic Performance Control Act of 1876, which had been scrapped in 2000 after a movement of all theatre activists.

"We have introduced the submission of manuscripts to see that no-one says anything against our nation, religion and Liberation War," said Ahmad Nazir, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

But the activists have different views.

"During the British period manuscripts were submitted to the police station before a performance and we succeeded in withdrawing the act, but now we have to submit it to Shilpakala instead," Liaquat Ali Lucky, general secretary of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation.

"If a writer has to submit his manuscript to the government, he will have to conform to the wishes of the authorities. How could he then come up with originality?" Lucky asked. "The situation would be the same with poets as well," he said.

The theatre activists believe the government will have the authority to ban a play, book or music if they think it is violating the constitution. This act has blocked 'freedom of expression'. It is a pity that an elected government is behaving autocratically.

The experimental theatre hall was opened on December 3, 2003. But authorities waited for almost five months to prepare new mandatory regulations to make a booking, which included the submission of the manuscript in advance. It was finally opened for performances on April 25.

The hall will highlight performances of dramas, recitation, dance drama, musicals, mime, training and workshops. The rent is fixed at Tk 4,000 per show, which includes modern lighting and sound systems.

The concept of the mandatory submission of manuscripts, it by itself a farce.

"The hall made to experiment performances of different forms of drama and art may not be possible under the new regulations, if government feels that words and text are satirical and against the government," a group theatre activist said.

Many believe that the regulation has implemented to protect government from of criticism.

Meantime, the Group Theatre activists met the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and submitted a proposal to revise and remove the controversial regulation.

"The theatre activists just submitted their proposal and we in turn, will submit it to the ministry," the DG said.