Popular Bangladeshi singer James had to cancel his concert in Faridpur, around 120 km from Dhaka, after attackers targeted the venue, injuring over 25 people. The event, organized to celebrate a local school’s anniversary, was scheduled for Friday evening. According to local reports, a group of assailants attempted to force their way into the venue, throwing bricks and stones at the crowd. Students and attendees resisted, but authorities eventually instructed organizers to cancel the show for safety.
The incident highlights a growing pattern of attacks on cultural events and institutions in Bangladesh. Prominent author Taslima Nasreen condemned the attacks on social media, pointing to recent assaults on institutions like Chhayanaut and Udichi, which promote music, theater, and folk culture. She noted that artists such as Siraj Ali Khan and Arman Khan have refused to perform in Bangladesh, citing safety concerns amid rising threats from radical groups.
James, the lead singer of the rock band Nagar Baul, is a renowned figure in Bangladesh and has contributed popular songs to Bollywood films, including Bheegi Bheegi and Alvida. The attack on his concert underscores the increasing boldness of radical elements in the country, as cultural centers, journalists, and artists face mounting threats.
Critics blame the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for failing to control these mobs, warning that continued violence may disrupt law and order and delay the upcoming elections scheduled for February. The concert attack has sparked concern both locally and internationally about the safety of artists and the preservation of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
