Why was Rebuilding the Nation concert postponed?

An organiser cites political and situational concerns, along with fears of a possible mob

Organisers have postponed the Rebuilding the Nation concert, which was announced under the banner of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

The concert was scheduled for Saturday at the old trade fair ground in Agargaon, but the day before, Zahid Ahsan, secretary of the movement’s office cell, announced the postponement.

He claimed he was “unaware” of the exact reasons behind the decision.

An organiser, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Glitz: “Considering the current political and situational context, we decided to postpone the concert. Since it’s an open concert, there was a possibility of a mob. Keeping that in mind, we made the decision.”

When asked how they anticipated a “mob”, he said: “We just felt that something like this could happen based on the surrounding situation.”

He added that a new date for the concert would be announced after Eid-ul-Azha.

The concert was set to feature the band Nagar Baul James as a headliner on Saturday.

Other performers included Chirkutt, Artcell, Sonar Bangla Circus, Bengal Symphony, Bangla Five, Cryptic Fate, Kurighor, Kaktal, and singer Farzana Wahid Sayan, among others.

Members of Sonar Bangla Circus, Bengal Symphony, and Chirkutt told bdnews24.com that the organisers informed them the concert was postponed due to “unavoidable circumstances”.

The concert aimed to revive the spirit of the student-public movement that took place across the country in July and August 2024.

Promotion for the event was also being run through a Facebook page.