Concert goes ahead in Brahmanbaria after venue changed over Qawmi group’s objection

A concert at Brahmanbaria Government College was held at an alternative venue on Monday following an objection from a Qawmi madrasa students’ organisation.

The venue change followed a meeting on Saturday between college authorities and leaders of the Qawmi Chhatra Oikya Parishad at the house of Brahmanbaria-3 lawmaker Khaled Hossain Mahboob Shyamal.

The concert, featuring the band Highway, took place at the college’s south campus in the afternoon. Hundreds of students and young people from nearby areas attended. The event ended peacefully.

MP Khaled Hossain, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Commerce, attended as chief guest. Special guests included district council administrator Sirajul Islam, senior BNP leader Zahirul Haque Khokon, and former mayor Hafizur Rahman Molla Kachi. College principal AKM Obaidul Haque chaired the programme.

The Qawmi group had earlier submitted memoranda to the MP and district council administrator Sirajul Islam demanding cancellation of the concert planned as part of the college’s freshers’ reception.

After the Saturday meeting, it was decided that the freshers’ reception, discussion and tree-planting programme would be held at the main campus, while the cultural programme would be organised at the south campus. 

In its memorandum, the Qawmi Chhatra Oikya Parishad said Brahmanbaria had historically been associated with Islam and religious scholarship. While acknowledging freshers’ receptions as normal, it argued such events should not conflict with the educational environment, social order, public safety or local religious values.

The group also cited previous incidents surrounding concerts and cultural programmes in Brahmanbaria.

Brahmanbaria Government College Vice-Principal Mosharraf Hossain said, “As planned, preparations were underway to hold the fresher’s reception and cultural programme at the field adjacent to the college’s main building. The field does not belong to the college; it belongs to Niaz Mohammad High School, which is located on the same premises. Following objections from the Qawmi Chhatra Oikya Parishad over holding the programme there, we changed the venue. The cultural programme was subsequently held at the college’s south campus instead of the Niaz Mohammad High School field.”

Samir Chakraborty, member secretary of the district Chhatra Dal and a student of Brahmanbaria Government College, said Brahmanbaria was the birthplace of legendary musician Ustad Alauddin Khan and widely known as the cultural capital of Bangladesh, adding that the dispute over the concert was resolved through discussion.

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