The politics of populism and the cultural crisis, who is the victim?

“In our society, writers, artists, and intellectuals do not have a distinct position. Because, in their obsession with becoming popular by keeping pace with public sentiment, they have become a part of the masses themselves. Yet, the idea was that they would stand holding a torch in the darkness, alone if necessary.” – Novelist Mozaffor Hossain wrote these words on social media platform Facebook on Saturday.

In the comments on his post, another novelist, Swakrit Noman, wrote, “Most of our writers, artists, and intellectuals only crave praise. They have little capacity to endure abuse, criticism, or condemnation. Their goal is a trouble-free life. They are unwilling to take any risks.”

Why are artists, intellectuals, and cultural activists unwilling to take risks? Why are they seeking such a trouble-free existence, even as attacks on artists themselves continue? The protest-oriented characteristic that artists and cultural activists possessed in the fifties, sixties, or even the eighties and nineties is not visible today. Regarding the silence of artists and cultural activists following the suspension of the screening of Tanim Noor’s film ‘Bonolata Express’ due to opposition from a religious group, many have raised questions on Facebook.

Political analyst and Dhaka University teacher Jobaida Nasrin attributes this silence of artists to several reasons. She told ‘Agamiyer Somoy’, “Even though there are attacks on art and culture in various places, artists are unable to protest strongly. One of the main reasons is that artists have lost their ideological ground. The interest in getting involved in power politics is harming the essence of artistry.”

The screening of the film ‘Bonolata Express’ in Brahmanbaria was temporarily suspended due to opposition from a section of Qawmi madrasa students. The film was scheduled to be shown on Saturday afternoon at the Annada Government High School in the city.

Expressing outrage, the film’s director Tanim Noor said, “In a country where the Prime Minister goes to a cinema hall with her daughter to watch a movie, the people of Brahmanbaria won't be able to watch a movie? Is this some kind of demand for a maternal uncle's house? Screening films is not banned in Bangladesh. A film that has received censorship clearance cannot be stopped by tagging it as obscene. Very soon, through a larger arrangement, ‘Bonolata Express’ should be screened in Brahmanbaria city. And those who have threatened to create a mob should be brought under the law. This is the demand to the District Administrator. If this is not done, this (non)incident will become a precedent for other districts. If the administration bows its head, we are finished; Bangladesh is finished.”

The organizers stated that the Brahmanbaria Film Society temporarily suspended the screening of ‘Bonolata Express’ as the venue authorities withdrew permission due to an unforeseen situation. Due to venue-related complications, after discussions with the local Member of Parliament, Engineer Khaled Mahbub Shyamal, and the administration on Friday, the decision was made to postpone the program. The new date will be announced very soon.

Shadow of Interim Government persists even under Elected Government

Referring to the pursuit of art itself as the artist’s politics, Professor Jobaida Nasrin told ‘Agamiyer Somoy’, “In the past, many artists got involved in the party politics of the ruling party, and this trend continues. This is happening not only in Bangladesh but also in India. Artists are not getting involved in party politics from an ideological standpoint; rather, they are doing it out of a desire to stay close to power. Consequently, with changes in the power structure, artists have also lost their power to speak.”

Jobaida Nasrin also believes that the practice of identity-based politics has increased in the country after the uprising of 2024. She said, “During the tenure of the past interim government, many artists were taken to jail through lawsuits. Attacks on Bauls, disruptions of cultural events – an environment of fear has been created. Even though there is now an elected democratic government, we can still see the shadow of the Yunus government among them. This government is also showing failure in ensuring the safety of artists and a secure environment for artistic practice.”
Cheap Populist Politics

After the screening of the film 'Bonolata Express' was suspended under pressure, several socio-cultural organizations have protested. Political analyst and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed said, "The problem is not with the film 'Bonolata Express'. Whether the film is good or bad, permissible or forbidden, is not the main issue. The main issue is that they are opposed to showing any film. Why? Because they believe watching and showing films is a sinful act. Preventing sin is considered a virtuous deed."

Noting that such incidents are not new in Brahmanbaria, he said, "Many years ago, they took a stand against women going outside their homes to work. Followers of a certain cleric in this city uprooted trees planted along the roadsides by members of women's organizations formed through initiatives of BRAC, Proshika, and Grameen Bank. The anti-NGO lobby then sealed their lips over this. A few years ago, there was fierce protest here against Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka. Tawhidi mobs burned down a music school established in Ustad Alauddin Khan's name, the Brahmanbaria railway station, and many other establishments. They stopped the screening of films in the city. The cinema halls in this city no longer exist."

Advising to read the 13-point charter of demands of Hefazat-e-Islam to understand what they want, Mohiuddin Ahmed said, "The political parties in our country engage in cheap populist politics. Especially, the policies of Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party, and Jamaat are aligned on this matter. The six MPs from Brahmanbaria will not say anything about this 'out of fear of losing votes'. Some statement-givers in Dhaka will issue statements. That is as far as it goes."

Anu Muhammad, editor of 'Sarbojon Katha', believes that the allegations some people in Brahmanbaria are raising to pressure for stopping the screening of 'Bonolata Express' are not only completely wrong but also indicative of malice and an unhealthy mindset.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, "The practice of education and culture must be further increased in Brahmanbaria. Like in various cities across the country, the number and glitter of food shops, shopping malls, and high-rise buildings have increased here, but libraries have not; there is obstacle after obstacle for film screenings, theatre, music, and dance practice. A few years ago, the memorial building of Ustad Alauddin Khan in this city was attacked. The country cannot be run by listening to the words of these senseless, foolish terrorists engaged in such acts. The thuggery they are doing in the name of religion can be termed an insult to religion."

"'Bonolata Express' must be shown on a large scale in this city immediately. Those who are against its screening must also watch this film and then discuss and critique it. Not only that, film festivals, theatre festivals, and music fairs must be organized consistently in this city. Leading this should be the task of the Shilpakala Academy. The administration's duty is to support it, not to obstruct it," said Anu Muhammad.
Who Bears the Loss?

Filmmaker Ashfaq Nipun believes that this incident has resulted in a loss for those who believe in free cultural practice and for the current government. He wrote on Facebook, "Due to the screening of the film 'Bonolata Express' in Brahmanbaria being stopped by some fringe elements calling themselves the 'Qawmi Student Unity Council' of the district, the 'Bonolata Express' team has not suffered any particular economic loss. Considering how many people are watching, loving, and doing business with this film at home and abroad, not screening it in one district doesn't cause them any major loss. Who bears the loss? Definitely those who believe in free cultural practice, and most definitely the current government. A government elected by the people's votes, whose Prime Minister was widely celebrated for going to watch a film at a Cineplex in Dhaka with her daughter — within the first 120 days of that government, the local screening of a 100% indigenous film, greatly acclaimed at home and abroad, being stopped sends a completely regressive message. This is what is called a double standard."

Another filmmaker, Redwan Roni, wrote on Facebook, "This incident is extremely concerning, not just for 'Bonolata Express' but for all films in the country! If this is considered an isolated incident today, in the near future it will become the biggest cause of damage to film development. The administration, law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Culture, and all concerned need to take immediate steps."

Expressing deep concern over the events surrounding the screening of 'Bonolata Express' in Brahmanbaria, filmmaker Khandkar Sumon said, "One may not like a film. There can be protests against a film. There can also be harsh criticism. But should the decision of whether a film will be allowed to be screened or not be made under pressure, or based on law and cultural freedom?"

This filmmaker sees not just a crisis for a single film in this incident, but a crisis for artistic practice, a crisis for the cultural sphere, and a crisis for freedom of expression. He said, "If a film approved by the Bangladesh Film Certification Board is stopped before its screening due to various pressures, threats, or organized opposition, then tomorrow any other film, play, book, art exhibition, or cultural event could face the same fate."

He stated, "In a civilized society, a work of art is responded to through art, logic, criticism, and discussion. Not through bans, intimidation, or stopping screenings. I believe no citizen has the right to take the law into their own hands. It is everyone's duty to show respect for the state's laws, constitutional rights, and cultural freedom. The people of Brahmanbaria have a long-standing cultural heritage. I want to see that heritage not constricted, but richer and more open."