Baul event goes ahead despite objections in Sunamganj
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A Bangladeshi expatriate organized a Baul music gathering at his home in Derai, Sunamganj. However, the organizer faced difficulties following objections from some locals and a written complaint submitted to the administration.
At one point, he informed the police that he would not hold the event. Yet, in the end, he conducted the musical program, where several female artists performed songs.
Derai Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Aminul Islam confirmed the matter.
A large crowd of audience attended the event organized throughout Thursday night. The program took place at the home of UK expatriate Shawkat Ali in Hatia-Radhanagar village under Kulanj Union of the upazila.
Earlier, Shawkat said he organized the event on a small scale to mark his daughter’s birthday. Several locals raised objections regarding female artists performing songs. Athar Ali Rahat and Kamrul Hasan Mitu submitted a written complaint to the Derai Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) on Wednesday.
They alleged in their complaint that tension and an undesirable situation could arise in the area centered on female Bauls performing songs.
Kamrul said they requested to keep the event stopped considering the religious environment and Islamic values of their village. The village houses an Alim madrasa, a mosque, and several graveyards. They feared that if madrasa teachers, students, or anyone else objected over female artists singing, chaos might erupt.
News regarding the cancellation of this musical event was published in various national and local newspapers.
Kamrul added, “After discussions took place between the police and the organizers, an assurance was given that the event would remain stopped. But on Thursday night, seeing the musical program being broadcast live on social media, they again contacted the OC. Later, around 11:30 pm, they went to the police station and reported the matter.”
Expressing anger over the conspiracy to stop the program and propaganda, organizer Shawkat said on Facebook Live during the event, “Along with good people in society, there are also some bad people. I came here to observe my grandfather’s death anniversary. Yet some people ran propaganda saying that I set up a Jatra or Ghatugaan session here. Everyone saw what work I have done.”
He added, “I have nothing new to say to the opposing party. If they have the moral courage, let them come forward and speak. I also thank the local administration. I did not come to do any immoral work or host a gambling session; I came solely for my grandfather’s death anniversary. Let those who conspired to foil this (event) see what I did in the end.”
At the conclusion of his speech, he also performed a song.
OC Aminul said police spoke with the organizers after objections arose. Later, the complaint was resolved as the organizers assured that they would not perform music.
On Friday, he added, “On Thursday night, some people came to the police station to inform that a musical program was taking place at the expatriate’s house in that village. I checked the Facebook ID from which the music was being broadcast live. Then I told them that an immense crowd was present there. There was no vulgarity either. I spoke with several other people from the village, and they also said no vulgarity occurred at the event. The musical gathering took place peacefully.”
This is not the first instance of objections regarding sports and cultural events in Derai. Earlier on 5 October, a women’s football match was postponed at Derai Upazila Stadium due to opposition from some locals.
The match was scheduled to take place between female players of Derai’s Swapnachura Sporting Club and Sylhet’s Zara Sporting Club. The organizers’ stance was that the match had been organized to encourage girls in sports and to create opportunities for developing their talent.
