Dhaka, August 16 — Cartoons have long been a powerful medium of protest, serving as a creative and poignant form of resistance against government injustices. This tradition continues with a protest exhibition organized at Drik Gallery in Panthapath, Dhaka, showcasing how cartoons have entered the ongoing student movement against the previous government.

The exhibition, which opened on Friday at 5 p.m., will run until 8 p.m. on the same day and will continue again on August 23 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. It features a collection of cartoons that reflect the sentiments of protest where freedom of speech and writing are often suppressed. 

Visitors to the exhibition expressed their appreciation, noting that cartoons have become a significant form of protest in situations where open speech is restricted. They found the event both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Cartoonist Morshed Mishu, one of the key figures behind the exhibition, emphasized the role of cartoons in holding the current government accountable, just as they did with previous administrations. He pointed out that no political party should assume they are above criticism, and that the current government must be open to scrutiny from all sides.

Photographer Shahidul Alam, who also spoke at the event, highlighted the unique power of cartoons to convey serious messages through humor and satire. He warned against any attempts by the new government to stifle journalism, labeling such actions as autocratic. If the current administration engages in similar behavior, it too would be seen as engaging in dictatorship, he asserted.

The exhibition at Drik Gallery not only celebrates the art of cartooning but also underscores its importance as a means of challenging authority and advocating for justice, especially in times when other forms of expression are constrained.