The State
Faridpur Show Cancelled, Dozens Injured as Violence Breaks Out Amid Unrest
A much-anticipated concert by popular Bangladeshi rock singer James was abruptly cancelled after a mob attacked the venue in Faridpur, around 120 kilometres from Dhaka, officials and local reports said.
The violent incident occurred late on Friday night, forcing authorities to call off the show and raise concerns over public safety during cultural events in the country.
The concert was scheduled to take place at about 9:00 pm on Friday as part of the 185th anniversary celebrations of Faridpur Zilla School. Thousands of students, alumni and music fans had gathered for the event.
According to organisers and local media, a large group of attackers, described as outsiders, tried to force their way into the venue after being denied entry. When they failed, they began throwing bricks and stones at the stage and crowd, leading to panic and chaos.
The mob violence left at least 25 people injured, including a number of students who were struck by flying bricks and stones, local reports said. Some victims were taken for medical treatment after the attack.
Organisers and students tried to resist the attackers, but the situation deteriorated quickly as the crowd surged and panic spread. Eventually, the concert was called off around 10 pm on the instructions of the Faridpur district administration to prevent further injuries.
James — also known as Nagar Baul, and one of Bangladesh’s most popular rock musicians — managed to leave the venue safely, organisers and several local reports said.
The singer, who is also known in India for his hit Bollywood songs such as “Bheegi Bheegi” and “Alvida,” was not reported to have been injured in the attack.
The attack on James’s concert comes amid a wave of violence and unrest in Bangladesh, which has seen aggressive mob actions targeting cultural institutions, artists and minority communities.
Critics and commentators on social media have condemned the incident, saying it reflects growing intolerance toward music and cultural festivals in parts of the country. Author Taslima Nasreen described the attack as part of a troubling pattern of violence against cultural centres and performers.