DU Fine Arts cancels Satyen Sen group’s ‘Shorot Utshob’ over ties to fascist regime; DU to host festival itself

The Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka has revoked permission today (11 October) for the ‘Shorot Utshob 1432’ (Autumn Festival 1432), following a review of the controversial activities of the Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi (Satyen Sen Artistes Group) during the former fascist regime. 

Meanwhile, the University of Dhaka has announced that Shorot Utshob 1432 will instead be celebrated under its own supervision on Thursday (16 October) at 3pm at Bakultala of the Faculty of Fine Arts. The event will be organised by the Faculty in collaboration with the Department of Music, Department of Dance, and the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu).

Professor Md Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, confirmed the information to The Business Standard. 

According to a press release issued after a discussion chaired by the Faculty Dean at 11am today, an official written complaint was lodged on 9 October by a collective of anti-fascist writers, journalists, and artists against the Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi. The complaint alleged that several organisers of the group were closely associated with the former fascist regime. 

Posters branding the organisers as “collaborators of fascism” were also pasted on the gates of the Faculty of Fine Arts. 

The Faculty reportedly received information and photographic evidence of several objectionable activities involving one of the group’s organisers, who was described as a “cultural fascist” with ties to the previous government. This sparked widespread outrage among students and cultural activists who took part in the 2024 mass uprising.

The press release further stated that an internal inquiry and vetting process found that the Satyen Sen Shilpigoshthi had applied for permission to host the festival while withholding significant information about its organisers. 

In light of these findings, and after reviewing the group’s controversial activities during the former regime, the Faculty decided to cancel the permission for Shorot Utshob 1432.