Lucky resigned from Shilpakala with the accusation of corruption and irregularities

Liaquat Ali Lucky, who had been the director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy for an era, resigned after the government’s fall. Salahuddin Ahmed, the (Deputy) secretary of the Shilpakala Academy, confirmed that the resignation was submitted to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Monday (August 12th). He said, “When I came to the ministry office, I learned that Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky had resigned”. When asked about this, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Khalil Ahmad said, “Liaquat Ali Lucky sent his resignation letter through WhatsApp”. Liaquat Ali Lucky joined as the Director General of the Shilpakala Academy on April 7th, 2007. The last time his tenure was extended for the seventh time on March 28th, 2021. No one else can be seen in this charge for such a long time.

Discontent with Lucky in the cultural arena

Lucky’s tenure as director general of the Shilpakala Academy for a long time caused outrage in the cultural arena. The Anti-Corruption Commission also interrogated him after they had received allegations of corruption. Lucky is also the President of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation. He was also criticized for releasing Kamal Bayazid, general secretary of the Federation. In response, Dhaka Theatre left the Federation. In June last year, some cultural activists agitated to demand the removal of Liaquat Ali Lucky under the ‘General Theatre Crew’ banner. He still remained in his position. After the government’s fall on August 5th under mass protest, there was a wave of changes seen in the leadership of public and private institutions. Various public-private organizations, media, judges, legal officers and advocates, and vice-chancellors of various universities are also resigning. On the day after the departure of Sheikh Hasina, a section of the agitated officers and employees locked at least fifteen offices, including the Director General’s at the Shilpakala Academy. Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky’s documents of ‘corruption’ should not be removed; the offended victims spoke of countering it.

Liaquat Ali Lucky is demanded to be brought under justice

The theatre crews have demanded that the resigned director of Shilpakala Academy, Liaquat Ali Lucky, be brought under trial after investigating his corruption. At the same time, they also demanded the democratic transformation of the Group Theatre Federation and the Path Natak Council. These demands were raised from the ‘angry theatre workers’ rally in front of the National Theatre of Shegunbagicha. The agitated group has also demanded that Liaquat Ali Lucky’s corruption, nepotism, and all other illegal works be investigated and brought under trial in their written statement. In addition, they demanded his resignation from the presidential post of the Group Theatre Federation. Besides, immediate action should be taken against the other officers and employees of Shilpakala Academy who have allegations of corruption, nepotism, irregularities and party favouritism.

Tags: Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy