A violent mob attack disrupted a highly anticipated concert featuring popular Bangladeshi singer James in Faridpur on Friday night, leaving more than 25 people, mostly students, injured. The incident has intensified concerns about the safety of artists and cultural events in the country, following a series of threats and attacks by hardline groups.
Chaos and Violence at School Reunion Event
The concert was part of a reunion event for Faridpur Zilla School, intended exclusively for registered former and current students. However, news of James's performance drew a massive crowd of 20,000 to 25,000 people outside the venue. Local police official Mohammad Shahidul Islam stated it was impossible to accommodate such a large crowd inside the school premises.
The situation turned violent around 9:30 PM when dissatisfied outsiders attempted to climb the boundary wall. When security personnel intervened, the mob began hurling bricks and stones at the audience and the stage inside. The chaos escalated further when four to five individuals managed to enter the premises, leading to confrontations with students.
Trauma and Accusations of Mismanagement
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. Srabanya Touhida, who was anchoring the event, recounted the large mob and the chaos caused by the brick-throwing. "Even after returning to Dhaka, the trauma doesn't seem to go away," she said.
Authorities and the singer's team pointed to severe logistical failures. James's spokesperson, Rubaiyat Thakur Robin, called it "complete mismanagement and failure of the organisers." The band, Nagarbaul, had arrived for the 7:30 PM concert but only learned of the chaos after the program started. They were informed of the cancellation around 10:30 PM and returned to Dhaka.
Broader Implications for Bangladesh's Cultural Sphere
This attack is seen as part of a disturbing pattern of intimidation against artists in Bangladesh. Exiled author Taslima Nasreen took to social media platform X to condemn the incident, linking it to actions by "jihadists" and referencing past attacks on cultural institutions like Chhayanaut and Udichi.
Nasreen also made serious claims about other artists avoiding Bangladesh. She stated that Siraj Ali Khan, a descendant of musical legends, recently left Dhaka without performing, vowing not to return until artists and cultural institutions are safe. Similarly, she claimed Ustad Rashid Khan's son, Arman Khan, declined an invitation to Dhaka, expressing unwillingness to visit a "Bangladesh inhabited by music-hating jihadists."
The injured, including the convener of the school's reunion committee, were admitted to a local hospital. The concert was ultimately cancelled to restore order. This fiasco reinforces a growing perception of Bangladesh as increasingly hostile territory for performers and cultural expression, amid campaigns by hardliners for their version of an austere and pure society.
