A protest was held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) on Monday over alleged derogatory remarks by filmmaker Tarikul Islam Bhuiyan, popularly known as Simon Tarik, against veteran actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal.
Organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chalachitra Parishad, the protest rally and discussion meeting condemned Simon Tarik’s alleged social media post targeting Uzzal, who is the BNP’s cultural affairs secretary, president of the Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Jote, chief adviser of the Jatiyatabadi Chalachitra Parishad and a megastar actor. The issue sparked widespread criticism on social media, with several sections of the film industry also condemning the incident.
The protest rally began from in front of the Bangladesh Film Directors Association office at BFDC in the afternoon. Protesters marched through the offices of the Film Artists Association, Producers Association and the administrative building before holding a rally at the main gate of BFDC.
The event was chaired by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chalachitra Parishad President, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Film Directors Association and filmmaker Badiul Alam Khokon. The meeting was moderated by the organisation’s general secretary and JASAS convening committee member, actor, writer and poet ABM Sohel Rashid.
Speaking as the chief guest, Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Jote Secretary General and JASAS central convening committee joint convener Rafiqul Islam declared Simon Tarik “unwanted” in the film industry over the allegations. He also demanded organisational action against him from the Bangladesh Film Directors Association and related party organisations.
Rafiqul Islam warned that further programmes would be announced if authorities failed to take immediate action.
Among those who spoke at the event were newly elected Film Artists Association international affairs secretary actor Abir Parvez, cultural affairs secretary actor Maruf Aki, senior filmmaker Arman, actor Asif, producer-director Mainul Hossain Khokon, Jatiyatabadi Chalachitra Parishad organising secretary and filmmaker Monjurul Islam Megh, finance secretary Azizul Haque Khoka, hospitality secretary Nazrul Islam, actors Biban Badal, Azizur Rahman Aziz and Harun, along with other artists and film professionals.
Speakers claimed that a complaint filed against Simon Tarik over the alleged remarks is currently under investigation by the relevant ICT authorities. They demanded swift organisational and legal action, warning of tougher programmes if no steps were taken.
The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chalachitra Parishad also announced that it would observe “Chalachitra Kala Dibosh” at BFDC on 3 August. Organisers said the programme would demand action against those accused of opposing the July movement and called for legal measures against those involved.
