Noted figures of the country’s cultural and creative industry have expressed condolences and support towards the participants in the ongoing city protests. On August 12, a bus operated by Jabale Noor ploughed into a group of college students waiting for transport on the Airport Road, killing two on the spot and injuring more than fifteen. The following day saw massive sit-ins performed by school and college going students in uniforms. The protests blocked major roads in Dhanmondi, Mirpur, Baridhara, Uttara, Shahbagh etc.
A number of public transports have also been vandalized adding to the rising suffering for regular commuters. But still city people more or less have supported the movement. And now the representatives in the cultural arena have also come forward. Most of them have taken stand against what might be called ‘show of force against conscientious children.’ Some however have also expressed support for the demands themselves.
National Award winning filmmaker Syed Wahiduzzaman Diamond in a facebook post made on July 30 says, “The children who are protesting are not crafty politicians. They are not up for getting power. They only want justice for their classmate, assurance of safety on roads. Is this their fault? State Please do not beat up a child who can be won over simply by a chocolate. Please do not break their hearts. Do not make them your rivals. Remember they are the future of the country.” He apparently is asking to stop using force against agitating young students.
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki applauded the courage and determination of the protesting children, marking them ahead of his own generation. He also called for overall improvement of the road transport management with introduction of digital technology. Inclusion of not just senior but also young technical experts in the reformation committee will help cleanse the corrupt-ridden, backtracking transport system in the country.
Actor Chanchal Chowdhury has taken a much more angry approach. He says that he wants justice for the killed children, for everything. “My blood is burning with fire, Protests may continue,” he concludes his facebook status with these lines. His cover photo shows with his child. Apparently as a show for support and condolences for the movement, the photo has been updated on July 30.
Actress Shahnaz Khushi has made three posts on the issue. In her second post he warns that parents might be forced to take to the streets along with their children if state continues to attack the children in the name of quelling protests. Her first post however is most clear in supporting the protests.
In the first facebook post on this issue published on July 30 Khushi claims that she reached her current work destination, a shooting spot in Pubali after five hours of traffic congestion. She was very sick then and did not also know how she might return from her workplace. But she still expressed her outward support for the agitating children. She said, “You have come out because we could not provide safety for you. This mother is with you! Do not go back to home until your demands are fulfilled, this is a plea of one of your mothers.”
Masum Reza, Mabrur Rashid Bannah, Omar Sani, Jyotika Jyoti have also expressed support for the movement, reports internet.
