Cultural activists said that political leaders ignored cultural activism, a neglect reflected in the political parties’ manifestos for the forthcoming national election scheduled on Thursday.
They also expressed frustration that most political parties failed to credit cultural activism in the recent student-mass uprising and anti-fascist movements.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the Ganatantrik Jukta Front, Communist Party of Bangladesh, National Citizen Party and Socialist Party of Bangladesh, among others, announced their manifesto for the forthcoming election.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party, National Citizen Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh and the Ganatantrik Jukta Front provided a brief on culture, however, Jamaat-e-Islami did not include culture within the 26 priority areas of its manifesto.
Jatiya Kabita Parishad president Mohon Raihan, Bangladesh Udichi Shipligoshthi general secretary Jamshed Anwar Topon and Bibartan Sangskritik Kendra general secretary Mafijur Rahman Laltu shared their reflections on the issue.
Mohon Raihan said that political leaders prioritised elections instead of focusing on citizens’ demands, needs and desires.
Most of the political parties’ manifestos for the forthcoming national election ignored the cultural practices of the country, he said, adding ‘We hope the newly elected government will work to erase obstacles to cultural practice.’
He also urged the cultural activists to organise movements for citizen rights, democracy and inclusive society.
Jamshed Anwar Topon said that political parties have a limited understanding of culture, which is reflected in the fact that thy only mention it superficially in their manifestos.
He said that no political parties have mentioned and proposed any plan regarding the ongoing crisis and struggle of cultural organisations and artists.
‘Juktafront stressed on development of folk and local culture by strengthening and decentralising a democratic Shilpakala Academy at the upazila level, which is inspiring,’ Jamshed Anwar Topon said, expressing hope that the new government would focus on non-partisan, syndicate-less cultural institutions like BSA.
He also demanded sufficient cultural centres and institutions for the overpopulated and unplanned Dhaka metropolitan area.
Mafijur Rahman Laltu said that he feels that Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s manifesto is lacking in its treatment of mass culture and folklore.
He also said that BNP addressed Indian cultural hegemony, which is good, however, they did not mention any incentives or proposals for promoting local culture.
Laltu also hopes that the newly elected government will include cultural practices and values in textbooks to promote tradition, culture and history.
BNP cultural affairs secretary Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal said that their manifesto focused on reconstructing the country, which was damaged during fascist regime, as well as rebuilding the cultural sector.
‘If the BNP forms the government after the election, they will organise discussions for cultural activists across the country,’ he said, adding that talent hunt programmes and training events for children and youth will be held to encourage the country’s cultural practices.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central cultural department secretary Saifullah Mansur said that although the manifesto did not mention the cultural issues, they would propose forming a National Cultural Commission for inclusive cultural development, establishing effective grassroots cultural organisations under the ministry, and creating financial incentives for artists, writers, and cultural personalities.
NCP youth wing Jatiya Juba Shakti central organiser Sowmik Faruquee said that they focus on hegemony-free cultural practices and establish a pro-Bangladesh culture.
