Noted theatre personality and academician Syed Jamil Ahmed has tendered his resignation as the director general (DG) of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), taking the audience by surprise during the closing ceremony of the first Munier Choudhury National Theatre Festival. The festival, organized by the academy’s training department, provided the backdrop for this significant announcement on Friday evening, February 28, 2025.
Jamil Ahmed, who took the helm at the Shilpakala Academy on September 10, 2024, after a notable political transition, cited bureaucratic interference and restrictions on artistic expression as key reasons behind his resignation. His stint lasted just over five months, and during the ceremony, he handed his resignation letter to BSA secretary Mohammad Wares Hossain on stage. Wares Hossain clarified, "I have only received the letter, but no official or employee of the academy has accepted it," thereby highlighting the complicated bureaucracy surrounding this resignation.
Before his announcement, Jamil Ahmed delivered a passionate speech, expressing his frustrations over the obstacles he encountered during his tenure. "I accepted the position out of a sense of obligation. It was my intention to bring financial stability and administrative order, allowing art to flourish within the academy's core principles," he remarked. He lamented the challenges he faced, stating, "It's no longer possible for me to continue working here, and so I'm submitting my resignation letter to the secretary...in front of you all."
Financial mismanagement was one of the principal issues Jamil highlighted, stating, "My request for a Tk 165 crore budget was not fully met." He went on to explain how the administration treated allocated funds as personal assets, leading to frustration among the staff and hindering the academy’s mission.
Following his fiery speech, he articulated broader concerns about cultural expression restrictions, particularly noting the prohibition of the term "Adivasi" (which refers to indigenous communities). "We were told we can't even utter the word 'Adivasi.' This is unacceptable," he emphasized. Jamil concluded his speech on this matter by passionately advocating for the recognition and rights of indigenous communities, urging for freedom from oppression and discrimination.
Expressing his gratitude to Shilpakala Academy staffers for their commitment to restoring the nation’s artistic spirit, he emphasized, "I dream of a discrimination-free Bangladesh, a nation upholding the ideals for which our martyrs sacrificed their lives." He lamented, "We're losing sight of the spirit of the recent July movement," calling for renewed action toward social justice and cultural rights.
The reaction from the Shilpakala Academy officials was immediate. Secretary Wares Hossain reiterated the limits of his authority, stating he could not accept Jamil's resignation, which instead lay with the cultural affairs ministry's secretary. Md Mofidur Rahman, acting secretary of the ministry, commented, "I heard about the resignation but have not yet received the official letter."
Outside the Natyashala auditorium, after his speech, Jamil addressed the gathering of theatre activists, announcing he would withdraw his resignation only under certain conditions: the Shilpakala Academy must operate autonomously, free from interference by the cultural affairs ministry—whose role he argued should merely be legal counsel—and receive necessary funding to achieve its mission. He insisted on the academy's right to use terms like "Adivasi" without restriction.
Syed Jamil Ahmed's resignation raises significant questions about the future of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, its mission, and the artistic freedom of its personnel. His heartfelt call for recognition and the rights of indigenous peoples speaks to the broader cultural challenges facing Bangladesh today. This episode reflects the broader struggles within cultural institutions, where artistic integrity often clashes with bureaucratic red tape and governmental oversight.
By stepping down, Jamil Ahmed not only takes personal ownership of his artistic career but also shines a light on the need for systemic change within the artistic community of Bangladesh. Whether his resignation will prompt discussions about reform within the Shilpakala Academy and the arts community at large remains to be seen.