Legal notice to government for security at concerts, Baul songs, cultural festivals

A legal notice has been sent to the government demanding an end to obstacles and attacks on various lawful cultural programmes including concerts, Baul songs, folk music, plays, film screenings, cultural festivals and boat races. At the same time, a demand has also been made not to stop any legitimate cultural programme due to pressure or objection from any individual or group.

Supreme Court lawyer Saddam Hossain Abhi sent the notice by post to the senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the inspector general of police (IGP), the secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday (September 3).

The notice said Articles 31, 32, 37 and 39 of the Constitution have ensured citizens’ rights to the protection of law, life and personal liberty, peaceful assembly and freedom of thought, conscience and expression. For this reason, the state has the responsibility to protect the constitutional rights of citizens in the case of peaceful cultural activities.

The lawyer’s notice mentioned that Baul songs, folk music, pala gaan, jatra, folk dance, plays, film screenings, Pahela Baishakh and boat races are important parts of Bangladesh’s tradition and culture. But in recent times, incidents of obstruction, objection and suspension or cancellation of programmes on the ground of security have occurred in various places of the country regarding these events.

In this context, the notice highlighted the administrative cancellation of a concert in Kishoreganj last month following objection from a local group and the demand to stop a boat race organised on the Sunai river in Bianibazar of Sylhet. At the same time, the incident of the last-moment suspension of singer Anupam Roy’s concert in Dhaka has also been mentioned.

The notice said there is scope to take necessary measures in accordance with the law to maintain public security and law and order. However, it is not appropriate to stop any lawful cultural programme illegally under pressure from any individual or group. At the same time, a demand has been made to provide protection to artists, organisers, spectators and cultural workers from threats, attacks, insults and harassment.

It has also been said that effective measures should be taken so that no individual or group can stop any legitimate cultural programme in future by influencing administrative decisions through threats or violence.

Lawyer Saddam Hossain Abhi has called for taking necessary steps within 15 days of receiving the notice. He said various types of obstacles are currently being created in different cultural programmes including concerts, musical programmes, Baul songs, plays and film screenings. He has sent the legal notice to prevent such incidents as well as to ensure the security of those concerned.

The lawyer also said that if the concerned authorities do not take effective steps within the stipulated time, a writ petition will be filed in the High Court.