Police stop Baul song session in Habiganj after Whip’s ‘caution’ directive

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shayestaganj Police Station Abul Kalam has said police stopped a Baul song session in Shayestaganj upazila of Habiganj. The programme was scheduled to be held at the premises of Purasunda Government Primary School in the upazila organised by local cultural organisation ‘Sanskritik Sandhya’ on Monday night (November 9).

OC Abul Kalam said, “Local people have lodged various types of complaints about these programmes. Some have said these programmes disturb their sleep. Again some complain that sick people are affected by them. Besides, there are also complaints that anti-social activities take place at these programmes and money is collected from people.”

He said, “When the matter was raised at the meeting of the district law and order committee, the police superintendent objected to this type of programme. Alongside he directed the concerned authorities not to give permission for these programmes.”

The OC further said, “Member of Parliament of Habiganj-3 constituency and Whip of the National Parliament G K Gaus has directed the administration to remain cautious about organising this type of music programmes and rural song sessions across the district.”

Earlier on Sunday at the monthly meeting of the district law and order committee G K Gaus said, “There is no storm or rain in the winter season, religious activities take place in our region. Waz, tafsir and these will increase. In no way should any tension be created in society centring these. No wrong interpretation of religion should be given. Those who have the authority in giving approval must remember this.”

He further said, “And we the people of the area do not like rural music. I will totally request that it would be good if it is for the whole district. At least in the area where the people with four and a half lakh voters made me Member of Parliament by voting, there should be no organisation of rural songs, this and that, what is said, during Urs or other occasions that we do not hear any rural song. Where any youths have gone, are fighting, any bad things are going on, so that such things do not happen, this matter has to be remained cautious about.”

No statement could be obtained from Whip G K Gaus and Police Superintendent (SP) of Habiganj Tarek Mahmud in this regard.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi has protested against this decision of the administrative committee. In a joint statement Acting President of the organisation Mahmud Selim and General Secretary Amit Ranjan De said this decision is equivalent to giving state approval to the ongoing conspiracy against healthy and constructive cultural practices in the country.

They demanded immediate withdrawal of this decision in the statement.