Spiritual singers and thinkers at a discussion said on Sunday that the shrines were used as shelters of mass culture in Bangladesh without any government incentives.
They also protested at attacks on shrines across Bangladesh and demanded legal action against those involved in attacking the shrines.
The discussion and musical event titled Fakiri Gaan Ebong Vaab Alochona was organised by Bhabboithoki at Central Shaheed Minar at Dhaka University.
聽Renowned singer Aleya Begum, Fakir Abul Sarkar, Moharaj Abul Sarkar, Shah Alam Sarkar, Emon Talukder, Ashraf Udash, Elija Putul, Omar Ali, among others, performed Baul songs, pala, and folk songs at the event while columnist and writer Farhad Mazhar spoke on philosophical practice of mass people of the country, the event was moderated by Kohinur Akter Golapi.
Coordinator of Bhabboithoki Mohammad Romel said that shrines were used as shelters of mass culture in his welcome speech.
鈥業t鈥檚 rare that attackers have vandalised the shrines within a short time across the country which is clearly a criminal offence. Without any government incentives the shrines, these shrines have been patronising thousands of musicians traditionally and became a hub of cultural practices of the marginalised peoples,鈥� he said.
The event started with Fakir Abul Sarkar performing Lalon鈥檚 famous song titled Badsha Alom Pana Tumi.
Abul Sarkar said that he believed that attackers would repair the shrines if they had faith in religion.聽
Mentioning that the country is unstable now which can be steady only through unity, Farhad Mazhar said, 鈥楾hose who have vandalised the shrines in the name of Islam could not reach spirituality of Islam as Islam means surrendering not judging as to who are accurate.鈥�
鈥楾he shrines are used as a hub of practising philosophy and culture of marginalised people while debates become songs but not quarrelling. Knowledge is alive in practice, not worshipping the book,鈥� said Farhad Mazhar.
Besides, many artists and Baul organisations participated in the event.