A concert by renowned Bangladeshi singer James in Faridpur, near Dhaka, was called off due to an attack at the venue that left over 25 people injured. The incident occurred as the concert, part of a local school’s anniversary celebrations, was about to start on Friday night. Trouble arose when a group of attackers tried to enter the venue and reportedly hurled bricks and stones at the audience.
Local residents mentioned that students at the event attempted to fend off the attackers, leading to a situation that forced authorities to cancel the program for safety reasons. The cancellation comes amid a worrying trend of assaults on artists, performers, and cultural establishments across Bangladesh. Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen condemned the incident, citing it as part of a distressing pattern in the country.
Nasreen highlighted the burning of cultural centers like Chhayanaut and Udichi, emphasizing the challenges faced by artists and cultural institutions. She also pointed out instances involving other artists who refused to perform in Bangladesh due to safety concerns. James, a popular singer-songwriter and guitarist in Bangladesh, is known for his contributions to both Bangladeshi and Hindi music industries.
Observers note that the disruption of James’ concert reflects the growing boldness of radical elements in Bangladesh. Recent months have seen a rise in attacks on cultural institutions, artists, journalists, and media offices by hardline Islamic groups. Critics have blamed the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus for failing to control violent mobs, suggesting a possible motive to delay the upcoming elections scheduled for February.
