Special BTV Talk Show: “Farewell to Fascism in the Cultural Sphere”
Journalist Ahmed Tepantar said: “Over the past 16 years, artists have gradually become corrupted by political bias. Mostafa Motihar said: “As human beings, everyone has the right to engage in politics, and artists are no exception.
Marking the first anniversary of the fall of autocrat Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Television will air a special discussion program titled “Farewell to Fascism in the Cultural Sphere” on Wednesday at 5:30 PM.
The program, moderated by journalist Nisha Mahmuda, will feature journalist Ahmed Tepantar, journalist Mostafa Motihar, as panelists.
Speakers on the show alleged that during the fascist regime, certain artists and cultural figures not only tarnished the cultural arena but also portrayed cultural activists as villains in the eyes of the public. They demanded that these controversial individuals be brought to justice.
Journalist Ahmed Tepantar said: “Over the past 16 years, artists have gradually become corrupted by political bias. In our context, artists must exercise political moderation. Without it, they become controversial. An artist should not see themselves primarily as a political worker — their artistic identity is one of the key tools for building society. Only then can art become a pillar of conscience.”
Mostafa Motihar said: “As human beings, everyone has the right to engage in politics, and artists are no exception. However, they should not become activists for fascism. By serving as agents of oppression, some artists and cultural figures opposed the people of the country and committed acts to keep the autocrat in power indefinitely. They must be brought under the law without delay.”