Artistes under assault in Bangladesh

by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
June 17, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1521/artistes-under-assault-in-bangladesh

For the first time in the history of Bangladesh, popular female singer Rizia Parveen was brutally assaulted on the streets of Dhaka by the members of law enforcing agencies on June 12, 2011. Other artistes, who also were assaulted and humiliated are national award winning film director Chashi Nazrul Islam, lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar, singer Baby Naznin, Monir Khan, lyricist Moniruzzaman Monir, music director Ahmed Kislu, Azmir Babu and others.

According to reports published in the local media, members of the cultural community in Bangladesh, who has affiliation with Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP], brought out a 'peaceful rally' from the Film Development Corporation on June 12. During this rally, a team, of around 20-25 policemen suddenly started charging baton on the members of this rally and mercilessly assaulted all of them, thus critically injuring singer Rizia Parveen.

Rizia told reporters that her backbone has been fractured while she bears signs of assault in the lower portion of her body. She said, "Police not only beat us like animals but also did everything to embarrass us in public. And all such notorieties were by the male police.

She said, "We also have rights as the citizen of this country to participate in democratic programs as well as extend support towards political parties. But, it does not mean that the government will use its State machinery in assaulting and maligning us in such ruthless manner.

I got the news about this press briefing of the assaulted artistes from the local press and was simply shocked and surprised to see the degree of political audacity of the ruling party in Bangladesh. Being a journalist and someone having relations with country's cultural arena, I really cannot stand all such undemocratic actions of any government.

Here, police not only assaulted Rizia Parveen and a section of the members of the cultural family in the country, but has also surely dared to apply extreme repressive methods on the entire artiste community in Bangladesh. I know, in current days, due to extreme political polarization, most of the artistes are also inclined towards politics and political parties. But, under the constitutional provisions of Bangladesh, any such connections or support is no offense at all.

I personally do not belong to any political platform or ideology, but still, I am personally annoyed and shocked at this incident. Government surely needs to initiate a committee to investigate this matter and take stern action against those policemen, who were behind this brutality.

Moreover, a large number of individuals and members of cultural arena, who earlier receive prestigious national awards were also mal-handled and maligned by police during this rally.

The Prime Minister should personally look into this matter. I would humbly demand justice from the honorable Prime Minister, sheikh Hasina, who is always regarded as a great patron of culture.

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