Dhaka, Dec 27 (NationPress) A performance by renowned Bangladeshi artist James was abruptly halted in Faridpur, located approximately 120 kilometers from Dhaka, due to a violent incident at the venue that left over 25 individuals injured, according to local news sources.

This alarming event occurs amidst rising concerns regarding attacks on artists, performers, and cultural entities throughout Bangladesh.

Reports indicate that the concert was set to commence around 9 PM on Friday as part of festivities celebrating a local school's anniversary.

Chaos ensued when a group of assailants attempted to breach the venue and allegedly hurled bricks and stones at attendees.

Local residents reported that students present at the event tried to fend off the intruders; however, the situation escalated, leading local authorities to cancel the program for safety reasons, as noted by prominent Bangladeshi publication The Daily Star.

This incident has triggered a strong response from exiled Bangladeshi novelist Taslima Nasreen, who underscored this occurrence as part of a troubling trend in the nation.

In a statement on social media platform X, she remarked, “The cultural center Chhayanaut has been reduced to ashes. Udichi – the organization established to promote a secular and progressive outlook through music, theater, dance, recitation, and folk culture – has also been destroyed. Today, jihadists prevented the acclaimed artist James from performing at an event.”

Nasreen also referenced earlier incidents involving visiting musicians, stating, “Not long ago, Siraj Ali Khan visited Dhaka. He is the grandson of Ali Akbar Khan and the son of the internationally renowned maestro Ustad Allauddin Khan. Siraj Ali Khan himself is a respected artist of the Maihar gharana.

“He departed for India without performing in Dhaka, declaring that he would not return to Bangladesh until artists, music, and cultural institutions are safeguarded,” she continued.

The writer added, “Just two days ago, Ustad Rashid Khan’s son Arman Khan also declined an invitation to Dhaka. He too made it clear that he does not wish to visit a Bangladesh inhabited by music-hating jihadists.”

James, a well-loved Bangladeshi singer-songwriter, guitarist, and composer, is also recognized for his contributions as a playback singer. He leads the rock band Nagar Baul and boasts a vast fanbase in Bangladesh.

In addition to his role in the Bangladeshi music scene, James has performed several popular Hindi film songs, including ‘Bheegi Bheegi’ from the film ‘Gangster’ and ‘Alvida’ from ‘Life In A Metro’.

Observers note that the disruption of a concert involving an artist of James’ stature highlights the increasing boldness of radical factions in Bangladesh lately.

In recent months, cultural institutions such as Chhayanaut and Udichi, along with various artists, journalists, and media offices, have faced repeated assaults as extreme Islamic radical groups have increasingly taken to the streets, often with minimal visible intervention from the government.

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has faced backlash for its inability to control violent mobs, with critics claiming that instances of arson and targeted attacks are being permitted or even instigated to fabricate a law-and-order crisis.

According to these critics, the deteriorating situation could be leveraged as a justification to postpone elections currently set for February.