Protest against the ban on Baul women singing in Sunamganj Police obstruct cultural activists’ program in Dhanmondi, 1 detained

POBNEWS24, DHAKA, Oct 26, 2026 : Artists and cultural activists faced police obstruction while holding a protest program in Dhanmondi in the capital demanding the ban on Baul songs and cultural practices and the protection of the right of artists to perform songs freely. In addition to obstructing the program organized on Dhanmondi Road No. 27 on Monday afternoon, the police detained former president of Bangladesh Chhatra Union Deepak Shil. The program was organized under the banner of ‘Protibadi Shilpi Janata’ in protest against the closure of a music festival in Dirai, Sunamganj, objecting to the performance of female Baul artists.
Artists and cultural activists gathered in front of Meena Bazar on Dhanmondi Road No. 27 around 4 pm on Monday. They gathered there to protest against the ban on various cultural programs including Baul songs, attacks on artists and the narrowing of cultural freedom in different parts of the country.
A large number of police personnel were seen in the area since the afternoon due to the program. Before the human chain began, the police had an argument with the organizers. At one point, when the situation became heated, the police detained Deepak Shil.
According to eyewitnesses and cultural activists who participated in the program, they had a dispute with the police over the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’. They alleged that the police prohibited them from raising the slogan and when they protested, Deepak Shil was detained.
Actress Sumana Soma said that they had gathered there to protest against the attacks on Bauls and the disruption of cultural events across the country. But while carrying out the program, they faced police obstacles. She also protested against the detention of Deepak Shil.
The police said that Deepak Shil has been taken into custody as the situation became heated at the scene. The concerned officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said that he is being questioned.
According to the police, a scuffle broke out after objections were raised about provocative slogans and statements. However, cultural activists alleged that their peaceful protest program was disrupted.
Despite being blocked and detained by the police, the cultural activists present there protested with various slogans. Later, they left the scene around 4:30 pm.
Cultural activists have expressed concern over the recent incidents of obstruction and objections to Baul songs and various cultural events. According to them, it is important to protect the freedom of songs, art and cultural events. If there is an objection to any event, it should be resolved through discussion; the right of artists to perform songs should not be obstructed.
The organizers claim that their program was not a political program; rather, its purpose was to protest the obstruction of Baul music and cultural practices. They expressed anger at not being able to protest peacefully.
It is worth noting that a domestic Baul song festival was scheduled to be organized on October 22 in Hatia village of Kulonj union in Dirai upazila of Sunamganj. The event was organized at the home of UK-based Shawkat Ali and was supposed to feature female Baul artists Tanisha and Neela.
But some locals raised objections to the performance of female artists. Citing fears that ‘obscenity may occur in the name of singing’, they demanded that the event be stopped and filed a written petition with Dirai police station in this regard. Although the organizers later announced that the event would be stopped, according to local sources, songs were eventually performed there on a limited scale.
Earlier, local fundamentalists mentioned in a petition to the police station that Hatia village has long been known for its religious values ​​and Islamic traditions. There is an Alim Madrasa and a shrine of a Wali in the village. Many scholars and ulamas live in the village. The petitioners claim that if the women artists continue to perform, tension and undesirable situations may arise in the area. They requested that necessary measures be taken to protect the religious traditions and social harmony of the village.
In response to this incident, artists and cultural activists called for a human chain in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Monday to protest against the restrictions on Baul songs and cultural practices. However, their scheduled program was disrupted by police interference and one person was arrested.