Bangladeshi Singer James’ Concert Cancelled after Mob Attacks Venue in Faridpur
Singer James’ Faridpur concert was cancelled after attackers hurled stones, forcing authorities to halt the event.
A concert by renowned Bangladeshi rock icon James (also known as Nagar Baul) was abruptly cancelled on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the Faridpur Zilla School premises after a mob attacked the venue. The event, scheduled to begin around 9:00 pm as part of the school's 185th anniversary celebrations, turned chaotic when a group of outsiders attempted to force entry after being denied access. Denied entry, the attackers reportedly hurled bricks and stones toward the stage and crowd, creating panic and injuring at least 25 people, including 15-20 students who resisted the assault. Organizers, including convenor Mustafizur Rahman Shamim, announced the cancellation around 10:00 pm on instructions from the Faridpur deputy commissioner, citing the volatile situation and safety concerns.
James, a celebrated singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer, is widely popular in Bangladesh and known internationally for playback singing in Hindi films, including hits like "Bheegi Bheegi" from Gangster and "Alvida" from Life in a Metro. As the lead of the rock band Nagar Baul, he is often called the "Guru of Rock" in his home country. The singer managed to leave the venue safely amid the violence, but the incident has raised serious alarms about the security of artists and cultural events in Bangladesh.
Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen strongly condemned the attack on social media platform X, linking it to a broader pattern of assaults on secular and progressive cultural institutions. She wrote that "jihadists did not allow the renowned singer James to perform at an event," referencing recent arsons at cultural centers like Chhayanaut and Udichi, which promote music, theater, dance, and folk culture. Nasreen also noted that artists such as Siraj Ali Khan (grandson of sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan) and Arman Khan (son of Ustad Rashid Khan) had recently refused invitations to perform in Bangladesh, citing safety fears and declaring they would not return until cultural spaces are protected from radical elements.
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The disruption comes amid escalating unrest in Bangladesh, where hardline mobs have targeted cultural figures, media outlets, and institutions since mid-December 2025, often with limited state intervention. Critics argue that these attacks, including on Chhayanaut and Udichi, reflect emboldened extremist forces seeking to suppress music and secular expression. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government faces accusations of failing to maintain law and order, with some observers suggesting the violence may aim to destabilize the country ahead of scheduled elections.
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