Popular Bangladeshi singer James’ concert was cancelled in Faridpur, around 120 kilometres from Dhaka, on Friday night after a mob attack near the venue, adding to growing concerns over the safety of artists and cultural institutions in Bangladesh.
According to local reports, the concert was scheduled for 9 pm as part of a local school’s anniversary celebrations when a group of attackers attempted to force their way into the venue.
On Friday, 26 December, James, the iconic voice of Bangladeshi rock was scheduled to headline the 185th anniversary concert of Faridpur Zilla School. What should have been a celebration turned into chaos when an extremist group attacked the venue, vandalized property, and forced… pic.twitter.com/htpsEdxQys
— Dipanwita Rumi(দীপান্বিতা রুমী) (@dipanwitarumi) December 26, 2025
Witnesses said the attackers hurled bricks and stones at the crowd, triggering panic among attendees. Students at the venue initially resisted the attackers, but the situation deteriorated rapidly.
Following the escalation, local authorities instructed organisers to cancel the concert to prevent further violence. At least 25 people were reportedly injured in the incident.
Taslima Nasreen Flags Pattern of Cultural Attacks
Exiled author Taslima Nasreen highlighted the Faridpur incident, warning that it reflects a broader pattern of hostility towards culture and the arts in Bangladesh.
In a post on X, Nasreen 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.”
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She further pointed to recent refusals by renowned classical musicians to perform in Bangladesh due to security concerns.
Nasreen said Siraj Ali Khan, grandson of legendary maestro Ustad Allauddin Khan, returned to India without performing in Dhaka, stating he would not return until artists and cultural institutions were safe.
She added that Arman Khan, son of Ustad Rashid Khan, had also declined an invitation to perform in Dhaka, citing fears over growing hostility towards music and artists.
James: A Cultural Icon Under Threat
James, a celebrated Bangladeshi singer-songwriter and guitarist, is the frontman of the rock band Nagar Baul. He has also sung popular Hindi film songs including Bheegi Bheegi from Gangster and Alvida from Life In A Metro.
Highly popular across generations, the disruption of his concert is being seen as a symbolic moment, underlining how emboldened radical elements have become amid ongoing unrest.
In recent months, hardline Islamist mobs have targeted cultural institutions such as Chhayanaut, Udichi, artists, journalists, and newspaper offices, while critics accuse the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of failing to rein in the violence.
Opposition voices allege that the unrest and arson are being orchestrated to create a prolonged law-and-order crisis, potentially delaying elections scheduled for February.
