Students of the 2017-18 session of Dhaka University's (DU) Faculty of Fine Arts publicly denounced this year's Pahela Baishakh (Bangla first month) celebrations, citing significant departures from longstanding faculty traditions.
On Wednesday, the 26th batch (70th Fine Arts) students categorically disassociated themselves from the current year's festival arrangements, highlighting what they perceive as a breach of established collaborative practices through a press release.
The core of the controversy centres on the unilateral decision-making process by faculty members, who allegedly organised the Baishakh celebration without meaningful student consultation. Traditionally, the festival has been a collaborative effort between students and faculty, with event funding generated through the sale of artworks created by students and teachers. However, this year's arrangements deviate markedly from these time-honoured customs.
Students have specifically criticised the design and conceptualisation of the Mongol Shobhajatra structures, claiming they were entirely dictated by faculty members without student input. Of particular concern was a structure representing Shaheed Abu Sayeed, which the students argue was included without broader student consensus and potentially risks offending personal ideologies.
The statement emphatically rejected accusations of opposing the Baishakh festival itself, instead focusing their critique on what they describe as a 'nepotism-ridden and politically motivated' celebration. "We are not opposing the Baishakh festival," the students declared, "but we strongly reject the 'Baishakh 1432' celebration and its organizing committee."
