A Supreme Court lawyer has served a legal notice on the government, seeking effective measures to ensure the safety of artists, cultural workers, organisers and audiences at lawful cultural events across the country.
Lawyer Saddam Hossain Abhi sent the notice by registered post on Thursday to the senior secretary of the Home Ministry, the inspector general of police and other relevant authorities, asking them to take necessary steps within 15 days of receiving it.
The notice says no lawful cultural event should be cancelled or stopped because of pressure or objections from any individual or group.
It also calls for adequate security at plays, film screenings, concerts, Baul and folk music programmes, cultural festivals and traditional boat races.
Citing Articles 31, 32, 37 and 39 of the Constitution, the notice says citizens are guaranteed protection of law, the right to life and personal liberty, peaceful assembly, and freedom of thought, conscience and expression.
It describes theatre, Baul songs, folk music, pala gaan, jatra, folk dance, film screenings, Pohela Boishakh celebrations and boat races as important parts of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
The notice refers to several recent incidents in which cultural programmes were allegedly obstructed, cancelled or postponed.
It cites the cancellation of a concert in Kishoreganj last month following objections from a local group. It also mentions demands to stop a boat race on the Sunai River in Beanibazar, Sylhet, and the last-minute postponement of singer Anupam Roy’s concert in Dhaka.
According to the notice, such incidents underscore the need to maintain a balance between public safety, administrative decisions and citizens’ constitutional rights.
It says authorities may impose reasonable and lawful restrictions when necessary to maintain public safety and order. However, lawful cultural programmes should not be stopped because of pressure from individuals or groups.
The notice also calls for legal protection for artists and cultural workers facing threats, attacks, harassment, humiliation or attempts to forcibly stop events.
It urges the authorities to prevent anyone from using threats or violence to influence state decisions and disrupt lawful cultural programmes.
Speaking to reporters, Saddam Hossain said concerts, music programmes, Baul performances, plays and film screenings had recently faced various forms of obstruction.
He alleged that some of the incidents involved people acting under the banner of “Tawhidi Janata” or members of certain organisations.
“I have sent the legal notice seeking measures to prevent such obstruction and to ensure the safety of organisers, artists, audiences and cultural workers,” he said.
Saddam Hossain said he would file a writ petition with the High Court if the authorities failed to take effective action on the demands raised in the notice.
“If the relevant authorities fail to ensure security in these matters, I will file a writ petition with the High Court,” he said.
