Shilpakala Academy
Is there still more to come after Bibhuranjan Sarkar’s tragic departure
Journalist and columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar went missing on Thursday (21 August). The following day, police recovered his body from the Meghna River at Gazaria in Munshiganj. I first learnt of his disappearance from writer Linu Haque’s Facebook post, and shortly afterwards saw the news of his disappearance spread across Facebook. I called his classmate at Dhaka University and political fellow traveller Jiban Krishna Saha, but he could not say where Bibhuranjan Sarkar’s residence was. I realised then that society had long ceased to have any use for Bibhuranjan Sarkar.
Ensure free and democratic cultural environment
During the reign of previous governments, the cultural arena was dominated by sycophancy and authoritarian artistic practices. Party members and so-called artists held sway. State-run radio, television, and cultural institutions were all under their control. Even non-artists found places as artists there. Now, the time has come to free the cultural sector from sycophancy and end all forms of authoritarian artistic practices.
Shilpakala Academies attacked, looted, and burned in 22 districts
Following the violence related to the anti-discrimination student movement and Sheikh Hasina's departure, there have been reports of attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson at Shilpakala Academies in at least 22 districts and upazilas across the country.