‘Joy Bangla’ Chanted at Artists’ and Cultural Activists’ Rally; Former Student Union Leader Detained

Staff Reporter

Police have detained former student union president Deepak Shil for raising the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ in the capital’s Dhanmondi.

The incident took place on Monday afternoon, October 26, during a human chain program by artists and cultural activists in front of Meena Bazar at Dhanmondi 27.

The program was organized under the banner of ‘Protibadi Shilpi Janata’ to protest against the disruption of various cultural events, including Baul songs, in different parts of the country. The human chain was scheduled to be held at 4 pm on Monday. However, a large presence of law enforcement agencies was seen at the scene before the program began.

Actress Sumana Soma, theatre activist Ehsanul Aziz Babu and former president of the students’ union Deepak Shil along with several cultural activists arrived there to participate in the program. At that time, the police stopped them from raising the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’. Later, Deepak Shil was taken away in a police van.

Actress Sumana Soma said, ‘We have come here to protest the attacks on Bauls and the disruption of cultural events across the country. A police member said, “Jai Bangla” slogans cannot be raised. We protested. Later, the police arrested Deepak.’

He further said, ‘The slogan of Joy Bangla is the achievement of the existence of Bengalis, our freedom struggle. We will give this slogan. No one can stop it.’

This police action, centered on sloganeering at programs organized to protest the disruption of cultural events in various parts of the country, has raised new questions about the freedom of cultural activities and the right to expression.

However, no statement from the police regarding the disruption of the program and the detention of Deepak Shil was immediately available.