Qawmi students demand cancellation of fresher’s concert at Brahmanbaria Government College

A Qawmi students’ organisation has demanded cancellation of a concert planned as part of a fresher’s reception at Brahmanbaria Government College, citing concerns over the educational environment, public safety and local social and religious sensitivities.

The Qawmi Chhatra Oikya Parishad submitted separate memorandums to Brahmanbaria-3 MP Khaled Hossain Mahbub and District Council Administrator Sirajul Islam on Friday (September 11), seeking intervention ahead of the programme scheduled for September 14.

In the memorandums, the organisation said welcoming new students with festive programmes was normal, but such events should not undermine the academic environment, social order or public safety, or conflict with the area’s social and religious values.

It also cited previous incidents and accidents linked to concerts in Brahmanbaria as grounds for public concern.

Parishad member Fuzayel Ahmed Khan said 30 students were injured at a previous concert less than a month ago, making another such event a sensitive issue. He also claimed a fresher’s concert at the college was halted around eight or nine years ago after a female student was allegedly subjected to harassment during a dance and music programme.

College Principal Prof AKM Obaidul Haque said he was not officially aware of the memorandums and that the students had not approached the college authorities. He said the programme was not a concert but a cultural event, with plans also including a fresher’s reception and tree-planting activities. The college would take action in accordance with regulations after reviewing the matter.

The demand comes amid recent objections to entertainment events in Brahmanbaria. On Aug. 28, a concert at the Police Lines was disrupted after an attack, while a screening of the film “Bonlota Express” at Ananda Government High School was cancelled on May 30 following opposition from Qawmi students.