Faridpur, Dec 27: A concert by renowned Bangladeshi rock singer James was cancelled on Friday night after attackers disrupted the event, highlighting growing concerns over assaults on artists and cultural institutions in the country.

The concert, scheduled for 9:00 pm to mark the anniversary of a local school, was halted when a group of assailants attempted to force entry into the venue.

Witnesses reported that bricks and stones were hurled at the crowd, creating panic among attendees. Students present at the event tried to resist the attackers, but local authorities ultimately ordered the cancellation to ensure public safety.

The incident comes amid a troubling pattern of violence against cultural organisations.

Author Taslima Nasreen condemned the attack in a post on social media platform X, drawing attention to recent assaults on Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.


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She wrote: “The cultural center Chhayanaut has been burned to ashes. Udichi—the organization that was built to foster a secular and progressive consciousness through the promotion of music, theater, dance, recitation, and folk culture—has also been burned to ashes. Today, jihadists did not allow the renowned singer James to perform at an event.”

The cancellation has sparked widespread concern among artists and cultural activists, who fear that such attacks threaten Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of secular and progressive cultural expression.