Satire and Solidarity: ‘eআরকি’ Exhibition Challenges Political Repression
A powerful exhibition titled "বিদ্রূপে বিদ্রোহ" (“Satire as Rebellion”) opened at Alliance Française de Dhaka on July 31, featuring memes, graffiti, cartoons, and protest posters that emerged during the recent mass uprising. Organized by popular satire platform eআরকি, the six-day event runs daily from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM until August 5, offering a bold commentary on political repression through the lens of humor.
The exhibition showcases a curated archive of satirical content that includes viral memes such as “The internet shut down by itself” mocking the former ICT State Minister, and references to helmeted forces demanding phones for inspection. These are presented alongside protest songs, spoken word poetry, street art, and social media posts that reflect the defiance of citizens during the resistance movement of 2024.
On its opening day, the exhibit drew a large and engaged audience. Organizers explained that satire became one of the most fearless tools of protest during the bloodstained days of July, when thousands of citizens took to the streets demanding justice and democracy. Through cartoons, memes, murals, videos, and poetic expression, satire energized the movement, blending humor with incisive critique to form a collective voice against oppression.
“Satire has always been a weapon of the marginalized—a way to expose the absurdity of power by laughing at it,” said a spokesperson from eআরকি. “This exhibition is a tribute to those who, with courage and wit, dared to speak truth during dark times.”
The exhibition is free and open to all, and aims to serve as a space for remembrance, resistance, and reflection on the enduring role of satire in political life, according to its organizers.
