‘Objections from many quarters’: Permission for ‘Shorot Utshob’ at Charukala cancelled

Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts has cancelled permission for Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi's "Shorot Utshob" at Bokultola, citing "objections from many quarters."

Like every year, the cultural organisation had been preparing to hold the festival at Bokultola and had already obtained official permission from the Charukala (Faculty of Fine Arts) authorities. The organisers claim permission was cancelled at the last moment, reportedly over concerns of possible "unrest".

"We rented the Bokultola venue following all due procedures and paid Tk 26,000," Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi General Secretary Manzar Chowdhury told media on Thursday night. "This evening, we were informed by the Charukala authorities that we could no longer hold the event there," he added.

When asked about the reason, Manzar said, "We were verbally told that there might be some trouble if the event takes place. Yet, we have written permission to hold the event."

Asked why they were not proceeding with the event despite having written approval, he explained, "Our programme was scheduled to begin at 7:30 am. We tried to take the necessary equipment to the venue tonight [Thursday night], but the Charukala gate was closed."

Azharul Islam, dean of Faculty of Fine Arts, told media, "We received objections from several people, including from our students. Considering these concerns, we decided not to allow the programme at the venue tomorrow [Friday]."