Barrister Rumeen Farhana, an independent lawmaker representing Brahmanbaria-2, questioned why a state that fails to prevent child rape allocates resources to stop cinema screenings.
She made these remarks at a human chain protest on Monday organised under the banner ‘Sorbastorer Janagann’.
The human chain was held at Shahbazpur village, under the Shahbazpur union of the upazila, with participation from various social and cultural organisations alongside people from all walks of life.
Earlier, the Brahmanbaria Film Society suspended its film screening event, titled ‘Bhatghumer Cinema Adda,’ which was scheduled for Saturday at Annada Government High School in the district town, amid protests from Qawmi madrasah students. To avoid unforeseen circumstances, the venue authorities withdrew permission for the screening the film Bonolota Express.
Meanwhile, a separate protest screening organised by film activist and animator Abid Reza Rongon—scheduled for Saturday night in Taltala village of Kasba Upazila, Brahmanbaria—was also foiled by the administration.
Rumeen Farhana remarked that the film Bonolota Express is suitable for family audiences, questioning why state authorities moved to block its screening.
She further noted that a state unable to protect a six-year-old child from rape and molestation—and incapable of stopping corruption, money laundering, and bank bankruptcies—instead chooses to support the banning of movies.
Brahmanbaria Udichi Shilpigoshthi general secretary Ferdous Rahman and district Chhatra Maitree president Fahim Muntasir, among others, spoke at the event.
Joining the protest, Ganosamhati Andolan issued a statement on Monday demanding accountability from the government to prevent actions that create panic and threaten cinema screenings.
