The authorities at the University of Dhaka have decided to celebrate the Autumn Festival 1432 on Thursday (16 Oct) under the supervision of the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts.
The event will be held at Bakultala of the faculty, in collaboration with the university’s music department, dance department, and the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu), the authorities revealed on Saturday.
According to a press statement signed by Prof Md Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, the faculty has long upheld Bangladesh’s rich cultural and artistic heritage, often providing its premises to cultural organisations to celebrate festivals that promote art, literature, and national values.
The decision to organise the festival came after a previously approved event by Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi was cancelled earlier this month.
On last Thursday (9 Oct), a group of writers, journalists, and artists opposing fascism submitted a written complaint to the faculty against the organisation, alleging its close association with the former “fascist regime”.
Posters labelling the organisers as “collaborators of fascism” were also placed at the faculty gate.
Following the complaint, the faculty suspended the planned event to avoid any untoward incident.
A meeting was later held on Saturday,at the Faculty of Fine Arts office, chaired by the dean, with relevant stakeholders present.
The inquiry found that Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi had concealed certain information while applying for permission to hold the Autumn Festival.
After reviewing its controversial activities during the previous regime, the faculty decided to revoke the organisation’s permission.
Given the faculty’s commitment to upholding the country’s cultural values, it was resolved that the festival would instead be held under Dhaka University’s own initiative and supervision.
