Theatre group Prangonemor was scheduled to stage `Shesher Kobita’ for two consecutive days on Sunda-Monday at the Mohila Samiti auditorium on Bailey Road in the capital on the occasion of `Chaitra Sankranti’ and `Pahela Baishakh’.
However, the event now faces uncertainty following objections raised by a group called the `Tawhidi Janata’ (religious group).
The authorities of Mohila Samiti informed Nuna Afroz—playwright, director, and actress of Prangonemor— that `Tawhidi Janata’ had sent a letter demanding the cancellation of the performances.
The development sparked widespread criticism within the theatre community.
Nuna Afroz reacted sharply.
“Just now, Mohila Samiti called to inform that `Tawhidi Janata’ sent them a letter stating that no performances should be allowed at their venue. We rented the Mohila Samiti auditorium for two days. We already spent on publicity and all preparations are complete. Every aspect of the production has incurred expenses. Our team has been working tirelessly for days,” Nuna Afroz wrote on Facebook following the cancellation.
She said: We asked Mohila Samiti to seek assistance from the authorities. If the administration expresses its inability, then perhaps we will cancel the performances. Mohila Samiti said, ‘So many things are being shut down, and the authorities can’t seem to stop it. Will the administration support us?
In the final line of her post, Nuna Afroz posed a question: “What should we do, members of the cultural community and conscious citizens of this country? Will this continue like this?”
