The interim government today published a preliminary list of the people who died during the student-led mass protests in July and August.
Bangladesh is heading down an extremely dangerous path
As artistes across the nation speak out against ongoing violence and aggression towards the quota reform protesters, actress Tasnia Farin has taken to social media to express regret for her silence. Yesterday, in a heartfelt Facebook post, Farin apologised to protesters for not raising her voice earlier, admitting that fear had kept her quiet.
Students who were shot dead and injured were simply exercising their democratic rights and posed no threat to anybody.
It’s incredible how the same slogans, songs, anthems, and the spirit of Bengali nationalism and the Liberation War of 1971 are being echoed both on the streets and in assemblies, but this time with supporting views on the ongoing quota reform movement that has gripped the nation for the past month. Bengal has always been a land where political resurgence has stood on the stronghold of its culture.
Under the platform titled “Artistes Against Genocide and Oppression”, a diverse group comprising visual artistes, photographers, performance artistes, musicians, poets, writers, researchers, architects, and art organisers, organised this rally of resistance. Their gathering was a response to the recent turmoil surrounding the quota reform protests, which have led to wholesale arrests and indiscriminate killings.
Ekushey Padak-winning artiste Mamunur Rashid is a prominent figure in the theatre arena of Bangladesh. He has always stood by the people during any democratic movement in the country. In an interview with The Daily Star, he shared his views on the ongoing situation in the country.
Nearly everyone has voiced their opinions in this climate of division, symbolised by red and black. Yet, one prominent figure, acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan, remained notably silent.
This morning, a group of prominent figures from various cultural fields gathered on the Bangladesh Television premises to denounce the violent incident targeting the station. They held banners, festoons, and placards with various slogans.
The country is going through a critical period, and as a result, all shootings have almost come to a halt. Eminent actor and cultural personality Tariq Anam Khan is observant of the ongoing turmoil regarding the quota protest movement that has turned into a massive nationwide protest, leaving more than 150 innocent students and citizens dead.
The Joy Bangla Concert, known for bringing popular bands together and attracting a youthful audience, is facing backlash due to violence associated with the quota reform movements' protests.
In a striking display of unity and protest, numerous Bangladeshi celebrities have changed their profile pictures on social media to a solid field of red, in response to the deaths during the recent quota reform protests. This movement has quickly gained traction, showcasing the collective voice of the people against violence and injustice.
Due process being ignored during ongoing nationwide crackdown
Govt must address the plight of low-income workers, entrepreneurs
Reflecting upon the current situation in the country, actor and producer Iresh Zaker penned his feelings on Facebook.
The usual hustle and bustle of showbiz came to an abrupt halt with the ongoing quota reform protests, political instability, violent clashes, and a prolonged internet outage starting on July 18. This outage lasted for more than six days, bringing shooting schedules to a standstill and leaving online activities at a complete stop.
Due to the ongoing unrest over the quota reform movement, the country's cinemas are facing significant difficulties. Even five weeks into Eid, last week's audience interest in movies was noticeable. Weekend crowds were also evident. Those involved in the film industry were hopeful about the future. However, the sudden instability in the country has concerned cinema hall authorities. Although some single-screen cinemas have reopened today, the audience turnout is not the same as before. The multiplexes, however, remain uncertain about their reopening.
With social media activity at a standstill and the curfew ongoing, many are left wondering how celebrities are coping without the internet. Although broadband internet resumed on Tuesday night in a few regions, Facebook remains inaccessible, leaving many feeling disconnected. We reached out to some of our favourite celebrities to see how they are handling this digital hiatus.
The Raihan Rafi directorial was expected to run for the foreseeable future before the quota reform protests started. According to the producers, the film earned around Tk 25 crore, a rare feat for a Bangladeshi film. Even though some people did go see the film at the start of the movement, cinema halls had to close down after nationwide violence started, claiming the lives of many involved.