Ashfaq Nipun returned the membership of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board

Director Ashfaq Nipun returned the membership of the Bangladesh Film Censor Board. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in a circular published on September 15 announced the reorganization of the 15-member board to include Nipun.

Nipun advocates abolition of censor board in films

Nipun has long advocated the abolition of censorship in films. He, along with many others, supported the establishment of a certification board instead of a censor board.

In an interview with Prothom Alo on Monday afternoon, Nipun expressed surprise that the board added him without prior discussion. He came to know about his appointment only after the ministry issued a notification.

In view of this, he approached the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for his resignation. Later that night, he posted on Facebook that the ministry had informed him of plans to convert the Censor Board into a Censor Certification Board within a few months. Although he felt honored to be considered for the board membership. But he made it clear that he had not formally accepted it and politely turned it down.

Nipun reiterated his promise to abolish the Censor Board. He also encouraged his colleagues in the newly formed board to soon convert to a sensor certification board or grading system.

There are currently 14 members on the Censor Board after Nipun returned the Censor Board membership. The Senior Secretary or Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shall serve as the Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall serve as the Member Secretary.

The board includes notable personalities like Bangladesh Film Directors Association president Kazi Hayat and filmmakers like Zakir Hossain Raju, Khizir Hayat Khan, Tasmia Afrin Mou, Rafiqul Anwar Russell and actress Kazi Naushaba Ahmed. Additional members consist of senior officials from various government departments, including law and justice and public safety.

The restructuring aims to modernize Bangladesh’s film censorship, aligning it with current industry needs and improving practices.