Fine Arts students boycott Baishakh revelry

Students of the 26th batch of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University have announced their decision to boycott this year’s Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

Describing the annual festivity as “nepotistic and politically motivated at a time of change in the country,” the students issued a media statement on Wednesday disavowing the official celebrations, including the Mangal Shobhajatra procession.

“This year’s Baishakh is a politically motivated Baishakh,” the statement declared.

“We are not supporting the formalities and Baishakh procession organised by the teachers due to the obsequious attitude of those involved in the arrangement.”

Azharul Islam Chanchal, the dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, dismissed the boycott, asserting that the statement was issued by individuals who are no longer enrolled at the university.

“Those who made the statement are now former students of the faculty,” he told bdnews24.com.

“Preparations for the Mangal Shobhajatra are underway with the active participation of both teachers and students. Several meetings have been held to ensure financial transparency and discipline, and the procession will take place as per the established rules.”

The statement, titled “Clear Statement on Mangal Shobhajatra,” was issued on behalf of what the signatories described as the “general students” of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

It did not list individual names but identified the signatories as the 26th batch (70th batch of Charukola).

bdnews24.com reached out to several students of the 26th batch.

However, all of them decided to speak on conditions of anonymity.

A faculty member, speaking to bdnews24.com on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the students’ concerns.

“I have heard about the boycott, and the allegations made by the students are correct,” the faculty member said.

“This time, the Mangal Shobhajatra is being organised in a more politically influenced manner. The spontaneous and inclusive nature of the event has been destroyed.”

A student from the 26th batch, who also requested anonymity, echoed similar sentiments.

“Our batch and the general students of the entire Fine Arts department have boycotted,” the student said.

“Our teachers are being overly obsequious. That is why we are not participating in this event.”

The dean, however, refuted these claims, maintaining that “general students are not involved in such statements” and that preparations are progressing smoothly.

“Those who made the statement are trying to create confusion,” said Azharul.

“They may have some other political motive.”

The protesting students contend that the event, which traditionally falls under the purview of a designated batch, was hijacked by faculty without consulting student representatives.

The statement of the 26th batch of students said, “We, the students of the 2017-18 session of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, i.e. the 26th batch (70th batch of Charukola), would like to clarify some issues. At the outset, we would like to inform everyone that we have no involvement in the organisation of this year’s Baishakh.

“Baishakh is officially organised every year under the supervision of a specific batch. It is entirely a joint effort of students and teachers. The entire money for the arrangement is collected through the sale of artworks by students and teachers of the faculty.”

“This time, the planning is being done exclusively by the teachers without any consent or involvement of the students, which is not in line with our beliefs and ideas, in an exceptional manner, unlike the previous practice of the Fine Arts Faculty.”

“Furthermore, this decision to organise Baishakh academically this time has been taken very abruptly with the involvement of a specific student-teacher group without any prior discussion with the students studying in the faculty or any student representatives.”

Azharul said, “The 26th batch is now former, they are no longer running students. And the running students are involved in the work of Mangal Shobhajatra.”

CONTROVERSY OVER ‘ABU SAYED MOTIF’ FOR MANGAL SHOBHAJATRA

This year, the theme for the Mangal Shobhajatra has been titled “Symphony of the New Year, End of Fascism”.

Amid plans for the Bangla New Year celebrations, a proposed motif for this year’s Mangal Shobhajatra has sparked debate among netizens.

Several reports circulated on social media suggest that a central motif for the Mangal Shobhajatra would depict Abu Sayed, a student from Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University, who was killed in the July Uprising.

The motif was said to show Sayed standing with his arms outstretched, an image that quickly became emblematic of the July Uprising.

Speaking about this, Azharul said that while the idea had been discussed in early planning stages, it was ultimately abandoned.

“This was a preliminary discussion; no final decision was made,” he said.

“It was considered in the context of how the July Uprising could be incorporated into the New Year’s celebration. A draft decision was made, but we have since dropped the Abu Sayed motif. It will not be included.”

The statement from the students of the 26th batch of the fine arts said, “The design and concept of the procession’s structures were entirely determined by the teachers.”“General students of the fine arts faculty were neither involved in nor informed about these decisions.”

“We were not aware of any structure related to martyr Abu Sayed, and we do not support actions that may offend anyone’s personal ideology,” the students said.

“Such a tasteless and farcical decision was not discussed with us, nor did the general students of fine arts endorse it.”

“The negative reactions emerging online should not be attributed to the entire fine arts community but rather to the specific organisers and faculty members responsible for the event’s management.”