Protest by 10 cultural groups in Brahmanbaria over suspension of ‘Bonolota Express’ screening

10 local cultural organizations have protested the blocking of the screening of the movie 'Bonolota Express' in Brahmanbaria. In a joint statement on Monday, they condemned and expressed concern over the incident.

The statement said that a special screening of the movie 'Bonolota Express' was organized on May 30 at the initiative of the Brahmanbaria Film Society with the permission of the principal of Annada Government High School. But a group created religious misconceptions and campaigned against the movie on social media. In view of this, the venue authorities withdrew the prior permission and the screening was suspended.

It also said that on the same day, when local youths took the initiative to screen the movie in Taltala village of Kasba upazila, it was stopped due to unwanted intervention by the local administration. We express deep concern over these two incidents and strongly condemn them.

The statement said that the film has been approved for screening under the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023 and has already been praised at home and abroad. Its director, Tanim Noor, is a son of Brahmanbaria. It is very sad that his film cannot be screened in his native land.

The signatories of the statement include Brahmanbaria Anushilan Cultural Center convener Abdun Noor and member secretary Nasir Mia, Brahmanbaria Khelaghar general secretary Nihar Ranjan Sarkar, Udichi Brahmanbaria District Sangsad president Zahirul Islam and general secretary Ferdous Rahman, Brahmanbaria District Committee President of Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad Professor Manvardhan Pal and general secretary Professor Masud-ur-Rahman, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Brahmanbaria District Branch President Shobha Sen and General Secretary Sathi Chowdhury, 'Abarani' Director Habibur Rahman Parvez and Assistant Director Sharmin Sultana, 'Kabir Kalam' President Humayun Kabir and General Secretary Abdul Matin Shipon, 'Charan' Organization Premananda Das, 'Sonali Sakal' President Fahim Muntasir and General Secretary Saniur Rahman and 'Aajker Sanskriti' The Brahmanbaria District President of the organization is Mustafa Jafri Hamim and the General Secretary is Sarpa Mitra Bhowmik.