Violence Disrupts Concert in Bangladesh: A Growing Concern for Cultural Safety
Concert Cancellation Due to Violence
In Dhaka, a concert featuring the renowned Bangladeshi artist James was abruptly cancelled in Faridpur, located approximately 120 kilometers from the capital, following an attack that left over 25 individuals injured, as reported by local news outlets.
This incident raises alarms amid increasing violence against artists and cultural venues in Bangladesh.
The concert was set to commence around 9 PM on Friday, celebrating the anniversary of a local educational institution.
Chaos ensued when a group of assailants attempted to breach the venue, reportedly throwing bricks and stones at attendees.
Witnesses indicated that students present tried to fend off the attackers, but the situation deteriorated, leading local authorities to cancel the event for safety reasons, according to a leading Bangladeshi newspaper.
The event sparked strong reactions from Taslima Nasreen, an exiled Bangladeshi writer, who pointed out this incident as part of a troubling trend in the nation.
On social media, she expressed her concerns, stating, 'The cultural center Chhayanaut has been destroyed. Udichi, an organization aimed at promoting secular and progressive values through the arts, has also been devastated. Today, jihadists prevented the esteemed singer James from performing.'
Nasreen also referenced previous incidents involving visiting artists, mentioning Siraj Ali Khan, a distinguished artist who recently left Dhaka without performing, citing safety concerns for artists and cultural institutions.
She noted that Ustad Rashid Khan’s son, Arman Khan, also declined an invitation to perform in Dhaka, expressing his reluctance to return to a Bangladesh where music and culture are under threat.
James, a celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist, is well-known for his contributions to both Bangladeshi music and Hindi cinema, with hits like 'Bheegi Bheegi' from 'Gangster' and 'Alvida' from 'Life In A Metro'.
Observers suggest that the disruption of a concert by such a prominent figure highlights the increasing boldness of radical groups in Bangladesh.
In recent months, cultural institutions like Chhayanaut and Udichi, along with various artists and media personnel, have faced repeated assaults from extremist mobs, often with minimal intervention from authorities.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has been criticized for its inability to control violent groups, with allegations that these incidents of violence are being permitted or even orchestrated to create a crisis that could delay the upcoming elections scheduled for February.