Scores of film personalities along with leaders and activists of 18 fil-related organisations on Monday took to streets in protest of the recent defamation of popular film actor Elias Kanchan by transport owners and workers.
They formed a human chain in front of FDC gate at 12:00 noon on Monday.
Film Directors’ Association Secretary General Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar, General Secretary Badiul Alam Khokon, film directors Shaheen Sumon and SA Haq Aliq, President of Film Artists’ Association Misha Sawdagar, General Secretary Zaid Khan, Actor Emon, Anjana, Alexander Bow and Aruna Biswas, among others, participated in the human chain.
Mentionable, since the implementation of the National Road Safety Act 2018 a week ago, transport workers went to countrywide strike staging demonstrations on the roads. As part of their protests, they set fire to effigy of the popular hero of Bangla cinema, besides publishing filthy posters depicting Kanchan garlanded with shoes.
The heinous act immediately sparked condemnation on the social media. People from all walks of life protested the workers’ act. At the human chain, Misha Sawdagar said, “Ilias Kanchan is not just a hero, he is a struggling leader. I strongly protest against the dirty insult transport workers inflicted on him.”
“We have been with Elias Kanchan from the beginning and I am still here,” he added. Badiul Alam Khokon said, “I strongly condemn the disrespectful behavior against Elias Kanchan.”
It is to be noted that since the death of his wife, Jahanara, in a tragic road accident in 1993, he has been agitating for the demand of a safe road. Besides making the country aware, he has given the country many important suggestions. In that context, the state honored him with the Ekushey Padak. Film personalities have strongly protested against the threats and humiliation against such a personality. They took to the field to protest and condemn the incident.
Representatives of the Association of Bangladesh Film Producers and Distributors Association, Bangladesh Film Directors, Artistes, Choreographers, Film Directors, Fight Directors, Assistant Directors, were also present in the human chain. Liton Arshad attended the meeting on behalf of the organisation ‘We Demand Safe Roads’.
