Objection raised to women artists’ participation in sunamganj, baul song session cancelled

Organisers have cancelled a Baul song session in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj after objections were raised to the participation of women artists.

The song session was scheduled to be held at Hatia-Radhanagar village under Kulanja union of the upazila on Thursday. Two women artists named Nila and Tanisha were scheduled to perform songs along with other artists. Local resident living in the United Kingdom Shawkat Ali sponsored the programme. Publicity for the event had also been going on in the area for several days.

In the meantime on Wednesday local residents Atahar Ali Rahat and Kamrul Hasan Mitu filed a written complaint at Dirai police station objecting to the performance of songs by women artists.

The application said Hatia village has long been known for religious values and Islamic tradition. There is an Alim madrasa, a shrine of a saint of Allah and many Islamic scholars living in the village.

The applicants said according to the organisers’ publicity arrangements had been made for women artists to perform songs at the programme. Anxiety and dissatisfaction have been created among local residents centring on this arrangement. They requested necessary steps be taken to maintain the area’s religious tradition, social harmony and mutual respect and to avoid unpleasant incidents and conflict.

Organiser Shawkat Ali said, “They have not objected to Baul songs, they have objected to the presence of women artists. We have cancelled the arrangement.”

Complainant Kamrul Hasan Mitu said, “Our village is of Islamic tradition. If songs and music are held in the village according to Islamic tradition the Muslim population may become angry. The situation in the village may deteriorate. That is why we have demanded the stopping of songs and music.”

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dirai police station Md. Aminul Islam said, “Two persons applied not wanting the presence of women artists. The organiser has cancelled the programme. The situation is good.”