Dhaka:
A concert by celebrated Bangladeshi singer James was cancelled in Faridpur, about 120 kilometres from Dhaka, after violence broke out at the venue, leaving more than 25 people injured, according to local media reports.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the growing threats to artists, performers, and cultural spaces in Bangladesh, amid a spate of recent attacks on cultural institutions and individuals associated with music and the arts.
According to reports, the concert was scheduled to begin around 9 pm on Friday as part of the anniversary celebrations of a local school. Trouble erupted when a group of assailants allegedly attempted to force their way into the venue and began pelting bricks and stones at the audience, triggering panic and chaos.
Local residents said students present at the programme initially tried to resist the attackers, but the situation quickly spiralled out of control. In view of the escalating violence, local authorities ordered the cancellation of the concert to prevent further injuries, a leading Bangladeshi daily reported.
The incident drew sharp reactions from exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, who described the attack as part of a disturbing pattern of hostility towards culture and music in the country. In a post on social media platform X, Nasreen said that prominent cultural institutions such as Chhayanaut and Udichi—long regarded as pillars of Bangladesh’s secular and progressive cultural movement—had also been targeted and destroyed in recent times.
She alleged that radical groups were increasingly dictating what cultural expressions were allowed, adding that even internationally respected artists were now reluctant to perform in Bangladesh due to security concerns.
Nasreen also cited recent instances involving visiting musicians who reportedly declined or cancelled performances, citing fears over safety and the shrinking space for cultural expression.
James, one of Bangladesh’s most iconic musicians, is the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Nagar Baul and commands a massive following across generations. Apart from his contribution to Bangladeshi music, he has also gained popularity in India as a playback singer, with hit Hindi film songs such as Bheegi Bheegi and Alvida.
Observers say the disruption of a concert by an artist of James’ stature highlights how emboldened radical elements have become in recent months. Cultural institutions, artists, journalists, and media establishments have increasingly reported threats, vandalism, and attacks.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has come under criticism for its handling of the deteriorating law-and-order situation. Critics allege that the failure to curb violent mobs is deepening instability, with fears that continued unrest could impact the electoral process, including the general elections currently scheduled for February.
