Dhaka: Maruf Barkat, a Bangladeshi poet and script writer, on Saturday decided to return his award for best screenplay given by Bangladesh Film Journalist Association in 2009 as a protest against recent attacks on writers and publishers and the government’s ‘silent approval’ to such incidents.

It is the first announcement in Bangladesh following a spree of returning prestigious awards by Indian writers, artists and intelligentsia protesting at the growing state of religious intolerance in India.

Maruf Barkat had won the BaChaSaS award, considered as the second highest prestigious film award after the national award, for his screenplay of Morshedul Islam’s movie ‘Priyatameshu’. The award featured a crest and a certificate.

Maruf Barkat on Saturday posted his Facebook timeline, ‘I’m dumping my award protesting at the attacks on writers and artists and the government’s silent approval to such acts.’

Many Facebook users congratulated him for the announcement of the award returning.

His Facebook post also reads, ‘I don’t know how to return awards. Does it require sending it back to the organisation who had given it? Or dumping the crest and certificate to dustbin? Or mere announcing it on Facebook?’

Maruf on his Facebook status said, ‘I have got an award from Bangladesh Film Journalist Association as best screenplay writer in 2009 for Morshedul Islam’s film Priyatameshu. I received it in the past year. There is no money, just an award plaque and a certificate. ‘ 

Maruf said, ‘I am returning the award protesting at the attack on writers and artists and the government’s stance of ‘silence is the indication of approval.’

‘I know it leaves no impact to even an ant let alone the government over achieving or returning such a small award by a low-profile man like me. Despite that, I am registering my protest to get rid of the unbearable situation,’ he added.