Cultural and social activists protested at religious aggression against cultural practices organising a programme in front of the Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbag, Dhaka on Friday.
They said that religious aggression against cultural practices in the country had increased and the situation became alarming in recent years.
The programme was organised under the platform titled Nipironer Biruddhe Shahbag.
Condemning the arrest of a goldsmith Sanjay Rakshit from Shariatpur for allegedly 鈥榟urting religious feelings鈥� by his Facebook post using Lalon Fakir鈥檚 song, social activist Jibanananda Jayanta said that the incident was not a first but there were many examples of harassment and attacks on bauls, folk singers and cultural activists in the name of religion.
Jayanta also said that the government had to play an effective role in preventing religious aggression against cultural practices.
Nipironer Biruddhe Shahbag organisers Robin Ahsan, Khan Asaduzzaman Masum and filmmaker Ananda Kutum, among others, spoke at the programme, which was presided over by Gonojagoron Mancha activist and Nipironer Biruddhe Shahbag organiser Akramul Hoque.
Khan Asaduzzaman Masum said that the programme was not organised to entertain people but to make people aware of religious aggression against cultural practices.
鈥楲alon is an integral part of our cultural movement. An attack on Lalon is same as an attack on our tradition, culture and movement,鈥� said Masum.
Akramul Hoque said, 鈥楻eligious aggression against cultural practices in the country has increased a lot. We protest against such aggression.鈥�
鈥榃e want a society where free thinking will be ensured,鈥� said Akramul Hoque, urging social, political and cultural organisations to become united to abolish religious aggression.
Filmmaker Aparajita Sangita anchored the programme.
The programme began with Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi artistes singing Lalon song titled 鈥楽ob Loke Koy Lalon Ki Jat Songshare鈥� and 鈥楨mon Somaj Kobe Go Srijon Hobe鈥�, under the direction of Udichi music secretary Suraiya Parveen.
Suraiya Parveen condemned the arrest of Sanjay Rakshit and said, 鈥榃e think that human being is greater than any caste, religion or class. We are starting our performance with the song that has given rise to debate.鈥�
Musa Kalim sang 鈥楪uru Subhab Dao Amar Mone鈥� while Suchorita Sutapa sang 鈥楢mi Jodi Sei Gour Chad Ke Pai鈥� at the programme.
Theatre troupe Theatre Bayanno staged its production titled 鈥楨kti Shahoshi Phul Dekha Jai鈥�, written and directed by Mizanur Rahman.
Besides, Aliza Putul, Lalon Mahmud, Tuhin Das, Abir Bengali and others performed at the programme while artistes of Batighar and Sarbanam also sang songs at the protest programme.