Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy suspends all programmes indefinitely

The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has announced the indefinite suspension of all its programmes and exhibitions until further notice.

The decision was taken citing the declaration of state mourning following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi and other unavoidable circumstances.

The announcement was made in an official memorandum signed by the Academy’s Deputy Director (Administration), Purnolakha Chakma, on Friday.

According to the memorandum, the chief adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in his address to the nation, announced the observance of state mourning on December 20 following the death of Sharif Osman bin Hadi.

However, the Academy has not yet provided any timeline for the resumption of the suspended activities.

Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent front-line leader of the July mass uprising and a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. Following the spread of news of his death, a series of violent incidents took place in the capital.

On Thursday night, a mob carried out attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo in Karwan Bazar. The same night, the Chhayanaut Cultural Centre in Dhanmondi was also attacked and set on fire.

The violence continued on Friday evening, when the central office of the cultural organisation Udichi Shilpi Gosthi on Topkhana Road in Dhaka was torched.

Amid this situation, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has announced the indefinite suspension of all its cultural programmes and exhibitions.