2024-08-21 15:48:05
Nipun Akhtar is the most criticized name in Dhaka cinema. He has given birth to criticism at various times, especially by participating in the elections of the Film Artists Association. He is accused of changing the results of the election by using his power.
Onei is opening up about the source of Nippon’s power after the formation of the interim government. Especially in 2022, the water was not less muddied with the election of Film Artists Association. Ilyas Kanchan won the election as president and Zayed Khan won the primary vote count for general secretary. But Nippon did not accept this result. He was the general secretary candidate in that election.
Later, he sat on the chair of the artists’ association on the orders of the court. It is known that a politician had a direct influence behind Nipun’s influence in the artist association. Although they did not open their mouths at that time out of fear, this time the election commissioners who served at that time openly accused political interference in the elections of artists’ association.
According to the Election Commission, which was in charge at that time, threats started coming one after another from the beginning of the counting of the election results. The situation became tense on the eve of the declaration of results. Because Nipun fell behind Zayed Khan in the polls. Since then, one after another, the ruling politicians kept calling Nipun to win. One of them is Awami League presidium member Sheikh Salim.
Pirzada Harun, who served as the chief election commissioner, told the media that he has served as the commissioner in the elections of artists association five times. There were no charges against him. But the 2022 elections put pressure on him, which still haunts him mentally.
Harun said, ‘A powerful politician from far above kept calling one after another to show the winner of the election. It can be said that he directly influenced and controlled almost all the ministries including the Ministry of Home Affairs at that time. He tries to manage in various ways. But I say no directly. Earlier, when I was an upazila executive officer, he once tried to manage me for the leader’s brother-in-law in an upazila election. He knew from that experience that I could not be bought. Because of this, I have been repeatedly demoted in government jobs.’
Harun said, “Then one after another, I was threatened on the phone that I would be taken away.” It would not have been possible to be honest if I had heard of a mirror like the one I am hearing about now. Such was the intimidation. Later asked to go to a place where a large sum of money was kept. When I did not agree, a case was filed with the result. It went to court. He was harassed in various ways. I was made a member of another political party. I was belittled in various cases, I was banned from FDC.
Actress Nipun Akhtar was defeated by actor Zayed Khan for the post of general secretary in the biennial election of Bangladesh Film Artists Association on January 28 that year by 13 votes. Dissatisfied with the result, Nipun appealed for recounting of votes. But there also the appeal committee got the same result.
Another person associated with the election commission of Shilpi Samiti said that if he thought there would be such a panic, he would not have performed his duties. Because life was threatened. There were fears that he might be taken away at any time. He didn’t reveal them out of fear. They left the matter to the Chief Election Commissioner. On condition of anonymity, he told the media, ‘Our election commissioners are threatened and abused one after another. It is said that the police will pick it up. I could not imagine that the phone would come from such a level. Sheikh Salim Sahib called 17 times to make one of us win Nipun at that time, people like him. It surprised us.’
Later the incident turned into a case. Adept at sitting on the chair of the artists’ association with judgments from the court. He served full time.
After two years, the 2024-26 election was held on April 19, Nipun lost that election. Misha Saudagar won the post of president and Dipzal was elected general secretary. That night Nipun gave flower garlands to the winners. But after 25 days Nipun changed his mind and filed a writ in the High Court asking for the suspension of the activities of the entire committee including the elected president and general secretary. But could not benefit much.
Despite losing the election, Nipun made a statement last July using the pad of Shilpi Samiti during the quota reform movement. He then came under fire from the elected members of the current committee, which he cannot do according to organizational rules. His statement read, ‘Strong condemnation, hatred and protest against those who are disrespecting freedom fighters and trying to establish Rajakars by issuing quota movement. Remember… “Who are you? who am i Bengali, Bengali” is the proudest slogan of the Bengali nation. Joy Bangla.’ Artists raised questions against Nipun on this statement.
How did Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim meet Nipun? Awami League presidium member Sheikh Salim. It is known that Nipun changed when Awami League came to power in 2008. His movements in the political arena continued to increase. That’s when I met.
In 2012, Sheikh Salim inaugurated Nipun Parla in the elite area of Banani. Since then Nipun came to the discussion. Nipun was contacted several times to inquire about the incident, but his mobile phone was found to be switched off.