Despite taking all preparations, the Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Festival has been suspended due to "threats from a group of individuals".
The decision was taken due to security concerns, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Council Convener Thandu Raihan.
He told bdnews24.com, "In the face of unforeseen circumstances, we have been forced to announce the postponement of our beloved theatre festival, which we organised with tireless effort and love, in consideration of everyone's safety."
The festival was scheduled to be inaugurated at 5pm on Saturday at the Mahila Samity auditorium in Dhaka's Natak Sarani. The Liberation War-based play "Payer Awaz Pawa Jay" was scheduled to be staged in the evening. Over the three stages of the festival, 85 theatre groups were scheduled to perform a play each.
The organisers said that a group of people came to the Mahila Samity on Friday evening and raised objections to the festival. They also threatened to attack the festival hall.
Kamal Ahmed, member secretary of the festival organising council, told bdnews24.com, "On Friday afternoon, the official in charge of the Bangladesh Mahila Samity informed us that the Ramna Police Station had asked us to cancel the theatre festival over the phone."
"We contacted the OC [officer-in-charge] of Ramna Police Station on behalf of the festival committee. In the evening, we met the OC at his office and informed him of the details of the festival."
Asked whether the festival had been approved by the police, Kamal said: "We do not take permission from the police for the plays we perform in the auditorium. No foreign theatre troupes perform."
"The troupes whose plays are performed regularly put on plays. There is no need to get any permission from the police or the government for such an event."
He said the police assured them of security after discussions and an application was submitted seeking security assistance.
However, the organisers say that after hearing news of the meeting at the police station, "some agitated people" came and removed the festival decorations at the Mahila Samity premises.
Asked who had made the threats and whether they had identified themselves, Kamal: "In the past, a play by a theatre troupe was stopped midway through the show at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Theatre workers then protested against it. We believe that today's incident is a repeat of that incident."
bdnews24.com spoke to several officials of the Mahila Samity to find out about the incident. None of them agreed to comment on the matter without remaining anonymous.
An official at the Mahila Samity told bdnews24.com, "There is fear of an attack on the Mahila Samity over this festival. That is why we have informed the organisers of the situation. They have postponed the festival."
When asked, Ramna Police Station OC Golam Faruk said at 2:15pm on Saturday, "I am in a meeting. I will talk to you later."
When called again at 3:45pm, he did not respond.
—bdnews24.com
