A planned concert by popular Bangladeshi singer James in Faridpur has been cancelled following a violent mob assault that injured over 25 attendees. The incident, occurring roughly 120 kilometers outside Dhaka, has cast a shadow over the country’s cultural scene and raised alarms about the safety of artists.
The event, organized as part of local school anniversary festivities, was expected to start Friday evening. However, the celebration was shattered when an unruly mob attempted to breach the venue’s security and commenced throwing stones and bricks at the crowd. The situation quickly deteriorated, prompting authorities to intervene and order the concert’s immediate termination for the safety of everyone present.
News of the attack has prompted significant backlash. Exiled writer Taslima Nasreen has characterized the event as symptomatic of a growing problem in Bangladesh, where cultural institutions and artists are increasingly targeted. She referenced prior assaults on organizations dedicated to music and arts, and asserted that radical groups were responsible for preventing James from performing.
Nasreen also brought attention to other international artists who recently withdrew from performing in Dhaka due to safety concerns, underscoring a perceived decline in security for performers. James, a highly influential musician and the voice of Nagar Baul, is a national icon. The cancellation of his show highlights the challenges faced by the government in curbing mob violence and ensuring a secure environment for public events, with some critics suggesting the unrest could be a precursor to election delays.