Dhaka University (DU) will hold the “Sharat Utshob” (Autumn Festival) 1432 on 16 October at 3:00pm, under the guidance of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
This year’s festival will be organised at Bakultala with the collaboration of DU’s music and dance departments, and the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu).
In a statement signed by Professor Md Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts (Charukola), the faculty affirmed its long-standing tradition of preserving Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage.
The faculty has consistently provided its venue for cultural organisations to host events that promote art, literature, and national values.
This decision comes after the cancellation of a previously approved event by Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi earlier this month.
On 9 October, a group of anti-fascist writers, journalists, and artists submitted a formal complaint to the faculty, accusing the organisers of having ties to the former “fascist regime.” Posters labelling the organisers as “collaborators of fascism” were also displayed at the faculty gate.
Following this complaint, the faculty decided to suspend the event to prevent any potential untoward incident.
A meeting was held on Saturday at the Faculty of Fine Arts, chaired by the dean, with the parties concerned present.
The inquiry revealed that Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi had failed to disclose certain key details while applying for permission to host Sharat Utshob. After reviewing their controversial activities during the previous regime, the faculty decided to revoke the organisation’s permission.
Committed to upholding the country’s cultural values, the faculty has decided that the Sharat Utshob 1432 will now be organised by Dhaka University itself, with full supervision and management.
