‘Mob’ targets cultural freedom but who will stop it?

In some cases, the responsible quarter of the government makes ‘irresponsible’ remarks, which encourage the ‘mob,’ believe political analysts

Cultural events are being shut down—sometimes due to the obstruction of "a few people", and at other times in the face of objections from the so-called "Towhidi Janata".

There are even campaigns promoting the slaughter of 100 cows at Ramna Batamul on Pahela Baishakh, a site traditionally reserved for Chhayanaut’s Bangla New Year celebrations at dawn.

Whenever a cultural programme is halted, the authorities almost always provide a similar explanation: that the "Towhidi Janata" or "student-public" objected to it. Or that "a few individuals" intervened to stop it.

But who exactly are these "student-public", "Towhidi Janata", or "a few individuals"? No one seems to clarify. And after these disruptions, nearly every incident is simply labelled as the act of a "mob".

But who is creating this "mob", who is pulling the strings? There is no clear answer.

In recent times, the shutdown of several events has sparked widespread discussion, yet those responsible for stopping them remain largely absent from the conversation.

Some political analysts believe that the government's "indifference" is allowing this "mob phenomenon" to take a dangerous turn—one that seems increasingly uncontrollable.

Some also argue that irresponsible comments from certain government figures are emboldening these mobs.

Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, however, does not believe that such incidents are bringing an end to cultural practices in Bangladesh.

“A large number of cultural events are taking place across the country. The claim that arts and literature are being shut down is merely an attempt to spread propaganda. That is not true,” he claimed.

However, the advisor acknowledged that such incidents occurred in some places.

The interim government took the necessary measures in such cases, he said, citing examples of a few incidents where the administration intervened and the halted cultural programmes resumed.

The government is taking necessary measures in some incidents of while not in all, according to Zobaida Nasreen, a professor at Dhaka University.

“The government’s ‘ideological politics’ is depicted through it.”

A former economics professor at Jahangirnagar University Anu Muhammad told bdnews24.com: “(These are the people) who want to stop music, drama and literature. They want to stop women's sports.

“Some advisors make comments which encourage these people. This is the biggest reason for our misfortune.”

The Lalon Memorial Festival, scheduled for Feb 19 in Madhupur, Tangail, was called off due to objections from Hifazat-e Islam.

Later, Madhupur Upazila chief executive, or UNO, Zubair Hossain told journalists: “The deferred Lalon Memorial Programme has been rescheduled after a compromise (between the parties.) A grand event will be organised.”

However, conditions were imposed not to present any “controversial” statements, information, or music during the event.

“Madhupur Lalon Sangha” organised the programme to commemorate the 134th death anniversary of mystic saint Fakir Lalon Shah.

Earlier in Narayanganj, a programme titled “Mahati Sadhusangha O Lalon Mela” was called off as a group of locals labelled as “Towhidi Janata” raised objections.

Advisor Farooki met the reporters on Feb 18, following a meeting at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

When asked about the closure of Lalon memorial programmes in Narayanganj and Tangail, the advisor said: “(Cultural programmes) were held successfully in many places.

“If trouble occurs even in five places, we try to address it immediately. So, the local administration addresses it immediately.”

Celebrated artist Rafiqun Nabi, popularly known as Ranabi, was allegedly prevented from getting on the stage at an event at the Department of Drawing and Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts in Dhaka University on Feb 17.

Organisers of the event said a group of people were planning to create disorder during the event. So, they asked the artist not to take the stage to preserve his dignity.

Nabi is a senior teacher and an emeritus professor in the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Who can have objections against him getting on the stage?

The Department of Drawing and Painting Chairman Mohammad Iqbal Ali told bdnews24.com, “Some people from outside the fine arts faculty were trying to create chaos over the issue of Rafiqun Nabi Sir being the guest.”

OBSTACLES FACING FEMALE ARTISTS, WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

On Jan 25, the inauguration of a cosmetics and lifestyle company in Tangail’s Kalihati Upazila, set to be attended by actress Pori Moni, was abruptly postponed following threats from Hifazat-e Islam.

The move marks the latest in a series of disruptions targeting female artists in the country, raising concerns over growing restrictions on public engagements by women in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry.

Speaking of similar incidents where actress Mehazabien Chowdhury and singer Poushi were also subjected to such harassment, Pori Moni said: “How can one stay quiet? I’m feeling like a subordinate,” she wrote on Facebook.

“Why do artists have to face so many obstacles? I feel insecure. Why are we not safe in such a free country?”

However, this is not the first such incident.

On Nov 2, 2024, actress Mehazabien was set to inaugurate a lifestyle showroom in Chattogram’s Riazuddin Bazar.

However, she was prevented from attending the event by a group calling itself “Riazuddin Bazar’s All-Round Businessmen and Tawhidi Janata”.

Concerned for her safety, Mehazabien and the event organisers ultimately decided to call off her participation, and she returned to Dhaka without attending the event.

She also posted on her official Facebook page about her decision to return citing security reasons.

When reached for comment, Mehazabien declined to discuss the incident further.

There has also been a lack of a coordinated response from the country’s artistic community, with only isolated voices speaking out against the threats.

The pattern of harassment is not limited to the entertainment industry.

On Jan 28, a women's football match in Akkelpur Upazila of Joypurhat was cancelled after a group of individuals vandalised a tin fence installed around the field in an effort to stop the game.

That same day, a women’s football tournament in Dinajpur’s Hakimpur Upazila was called off after violence erupted between members of the organising committee and a group identified as “Tawhidi Janata,” leaving 10 people injured.

The Chief Advisor’s Office later ordered that the match be rescheduled.

Despite occasional protests from individual artists, the broader entertainment industry and professional organisations have largely remained silent, opting not to challenge the recurring threats publicly.

SOME CONCERTS TAKE THE STAGE, OTHERS STUMBLE OVER PERMITS

In December 2024, Dhaka witnessed a surge of high-profile concerts by Pakistani singers, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Atif Aslam.

Rahat performed in the capital’s Army Stadium on Dec 21, organised by a platform called the "Spirits of July”.

Just days later, on Dec 23, he was featured at the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Premier League, or BPL, Music Fest, held at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur.

Prior to these performances, Aslam had graced the Army Stadium with his own concert, "Magical Night 2.0," on Nov 29, organised by Triple Time Communication.

Amid these events, the much-anticipated "Dhaka International Folk Fest," which had been expected to return after a five-year hiatus, faced an abrupt setback.

The Sun Communications-organised festival, initially scheduled for Jan 23-25, was cancelled by the Army Stadium authorities, even after the venue had been allocated.

The cancellation has left the organisers in a state of uncertainty about when the event might be rescheduled.

Meanwhile, political tensions surrounding the influx of foreign artists have further complicated the cultural landscape.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman voiced concern over the trend of hosting foreign performers, particularly from Pakistan and India.

He called for a shift, emphasising that Bangladesh should prioritise its own musical heritage, including folk and Baul music, and provide a platform for domestic artists.

“During the previous government’s tenure, artists would come from India. And now, they are coming from Pakistan. This cannot continue.”

"We want to change this trend of ignoring the country's artists," Tarique remarked, signalling a desire for a cultural renaissance that celebrates local talent.

In contrast, traditional cultural organisations like Chhayanaut have faced their own hurdles.

Their “Bijoy Utshob”, commemorating Victory Day, which was traditionally held outdoors at Dhaka University, was moved indoors last year after the organisation was unable to secure a timely venue at the Rabindra Sarobar stage.

The concert took place in their auditorium instead.

Chhayanaut Executive President Sarwar Ali told bdnews24.com: “We had applied to get the Rabindra Sarovar stage allotted for the Bijoy Utshob. The allotment was not received on time.”

However, the same day, the BNP organised a concert titled “Shobar Agey Bangladesh” to celebrate Victory Day. The concert took place in front of the Parliament building in the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue.

Meanwhile, a planned concert by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, titled "Rebuilding the Nation," was postponed due to fears of potential unrest by mobs.

Set to take place at the old Trade Fair grounds in Agargaon, the event aimed to reignite the spirit of the student-led July movement.

It was to feature performances by renowned artists such as Nagar Baul James, Chirkutt, Artcell, Shonar Bangla Circus, Kaaktaal, and several other popular bands.

However, organisers decided to delay the event, citing concerns over the possibility of mob gatherings in light of the current political tensions.

BASANTA UTSAB DISRUPTIONS IN DHAKA, CHATTOGRAM

Despite obtaining proper permissions from Dhaka North City Corporation and the Metropolitan Police, the Jatiya Basanta Utsab Udjapan Parishad, or National Spring Festival Celebration Council, could not hold its festival in Uttara this year.

As in previous years, the festival was scheduled to take place at the Bakultala of Dhaka University's Faculty of Fine Arts, Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka, and an open stage in Uttara.

However, the festival was reportedly cancelled due to opposition from the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and National Citizens’ Committee.

Syed Hasan Imtiaz, a central member of the National Citizens’ Committee’s Uttara zone, sent a written statement to bdnews24.com.

“We want to make it clear that the National Citizens' Committee does not have the power to cancel any event,” the statement read.

“We are determined to completely break the culture of using such power.”

On Feb 15, the railway’s eastern zone revoked the permission for “Proma Abritti Sangathon” to continue its Spring Festival midway at the Central Railway Building or CRB, in Chattogram.

As a result, the organisers could not complete the day's remaining events.

For the past 15 years, the organisation has been hosting the festival at CRB.

Rashed Hasan, president of Proma Abritti Sangathon, told bdnews24.com: "After 1pm, we received a phone call from the railway authorities informing us that our evening programme had been cancelled."

In addition, on Feb 21, International Mother Language Day, a programme organised by the “Chattogram Abritti Sammilon” near the T&T office gate, adjacent to Bose Brothers in Chattogram, was disrupted due to obstruction by the leaders of Jatiyatabdi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha, or JASAS.

Allegations also emerged of a performer being harassed during the incident.

However, JASAS leaders claimed that "local residents themselves stopped the event in the public interest" and they were "merely present" at the scene.

DHAKA METROPOLITAN THEATRE FESTIVSAL SUSPENDED

Despite taking all preparations, the Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Festival was suspended due to “threats from a group of individuals”.

The festival was scheduled to be inaugurated at the Mahila Samity auditorium in Dhaka's Natak Sarani.

The Liberation War-based play “Payer Awaz Pawa Jay” was scheduled to be staged in the evening.

Over the three stages of the festival, 85 theatre groups were scheduled to perform a play each.

The decision was taken due to security concerns, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Theatre Council Convener Thandu Raihan.

Kamal Ahmed, member secretary of the festival organising council, told bdnews24.com, “On Friday afternoon, the official in charge of the Bangladesh Mahila Samity informed us that the Ramna Police Station had asked us to cancel the theatre festival over the phone.”

However, in a statement sent to the media that evening, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, or DMP, denied issuing any directive to “stop or postpone” the festival.

In his Facebook post, Advisor Farooki said the Mohila Samity had cancelled the festival's venue allocation in response to pressure from an "aggrieved section" of theatre workers.

According to the cultural affairs advisor, these workers had been opposing the event for some time, demanding the cancellation of the venue booking.

In his post, Farooki questioned the festival organisers, asking why they referred to these critics as a “mob” without naming them.

The cultural adviser pointed out that festivals are still being organised by groups like Prachyanat and others, and events are also being held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Meanwhile, those involved in organising the festival asked the advisor to reveal the names of the opposition group, questioning which theatre activists wanted to stop the festival.

‘TOWHIDI JANATA’ STORMS BOOK FAIR

On the evening of Feb 10, a group identifying themselves as “Towhidi Janata” stormed the Sabyasachi Prokashona stall at Bangla Academy’s Amar Ekushey Book Fair for displaying Taslima Nasrin’s books.

They surrounded the publisher and started chanting slogans.

To control the situation, police took Sabyasachi’s publisher, Shatabdi Vobo, to their control room at the fair.

They alleged that the publisher had ridiculed Islamists on social media by calling them “militants” and had attacked ordinary visitors at the fair while shouting “Joy Bangla/Joy Bangabandhu”.

Since the incident, Stall No 128 of Sabyasachi has remained closed.

However, Bangla Academy says they have not shut it down.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condemned the incident.

In a statement, his office said: "Such disorderly conduct demonstrates utter contempt for both the legal system and citizen's rights in Bangladesh."

POET GALIB’S ARREST, REMAND

Police detained Poet Sohel Hasan Galib at Sanarpar Narayanganj's Fatullah, around 8:30pm on Feb 13.

Galib, who was arrested under Section 54 on charges of hurting religious sentiment, was taken on a two-day remand for questioning.

A group of writers, publishers and cultural activists issued statements demanding his release.

They also staged protests and human chains at the book fair.

In 2024, Galib faced criticism over a poem published in a book by Ujan Prakashan, which contained references to “Towhidi Janata”.

Following this, the Ujan Prakashan’s stall at the book fair has remained closed since Feb 11.

Regarding Galib’s arrest, Advisor Farooki said: “He is a poet. Just as you are deeply affected by this, so are we. But I may not be the right person to comment on this matter.

“The appropriate people to address this are the Home Advisor or those involved in law enforcement.”

“As a cultural activist, I am doing my part. Not everything I do needs to be announced on Facebook.

“Many actions are taken behind the scenes, and we don’t always feel the need to disclose them. Our job is to get the work done.”

“Not everything needs to be declared for credit. Just as we work silently on many issues, we are working on this as well.”

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT’S ROLE?

Cultural activists and analysts argue that recent events have created barriers to artistic, literary, and cultural activities across Bangladesh.

Economist Anu Muhammad told bdnews24.com, "If a group of people obstructs an event and it is subsequently cancelled, it sets a dangerous precedent.

“It fosters fear and uncertainty among those involved in cultural activities, which is harmful to the country as a whole. It also undermines the government’s credibility and erodes public trust," he said.

He also criticised the remarks made by some government officials, saying: "Irresponsible statements from those in positions of authority are fuelling such incidents. When advisors dismiss these matters, the entire government comes under scrutiny."

The economist also alleged that "coordinated attacks" are stifling creative expression and blamed the government for failing to curb the rise of such mobs.

"Instead of taking decisive action, some advisors are making statements that appear to embolden these groups," he added.

Journalist and academic Zobaida also voiced concerns over the restrictions on cultural activities, saying that administrative intervention in organising events is deeply concerning.

"Bangladesh has a diverse cultural landscape, yet people are now forced to navigate bureaucratic hurdles to practice their traditions. That in itself is unfortunate.

“Culture is spontaneous, dynamic, and ever-evolving—it cannot be dictated through negotiations or compromises. If compromise becomes necessary, it signals that cultural expression is under threat," she told bdnews24.com.

She also criticised the tendency of government officials to dismiss concerns as propaganda.

"News reports have shown that numerous cultural events across the country have been cancelled, including the Lalon Memorial Festival. Who is behind these cancellations? What is their motive?

“Instead of addressing these issues, some government officials are branding them as propaganda and questioning the organisers. That suggests the government is siding with those issuing threats and shutting down these events.”

During the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference on Feb 18, Advisor Farooki addressed concerns about the suspension of cultural programmes.

When asked about the government’s stance, he said: "I am not denying that incidents have taken place across the country. We are aware of what happened with the Lalon Festival.

“However, it has been rescheduled for Feb 23 following discussions with the local administration."

On social media posts threatening to sacrifice 100 cows at Ramna Batamul on Pahela Baishakh, Farooki said: "People will say all sorts of things on social media. As a state, we cannot respond to every comment.

“Pahela Baishakh is a major celebration for Bengalis, and it will be observed in the same manner as before," he added.