Seventy-one political, cultural and social organisations have condemned the Naryanganj administration for no longer issuing permits to organise the yearly “Sadhu Songo and Lalon Mela”, a cultural competition of followers of Lalon Shah, in Kashipur of the district in step with demands from Hefazat-e-Islam leaders.
In a joint press statement issued this day (24 November), the organisations said, “The Muktidham Ashram and Lalon Academy well-known to organise the tournament on 22-23 November. Nonetheless, the district administration compromised with the unscrupulous communal groups and did no longer allow the competition to be held following interventions by some local communal groups.”
“Sadhu and Lalan devotees from assorted points of the nation, including Kushtia, participated on this very finest which has been held for the past seven years,” the organisations said.
“Our custom is fashioned by the mix of many religions, many techniques of contemplating and a lot ethnic groups. We steal into yarn the prohibition on Lalan Mela as an attack and conspiracy against our custom,” they added.
The groups said the district administration’s stance on the topic is against the ideals of multiculturalism and pluralism established by the mass uprising. “We strongly condemn this disgraceful role of the administration.”
The organisations encompass the Narayanganj Nagorik Committee, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Bangladesh Communist Birthday celebration, NAP Narayanganj Committee, BSD Narayanganj Committee, Workers Birthday celebration and others.
Earlier, on 21 November, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammod Mahmudul Hoque denied permission to care for up the competition citing security reasons following demands from local Hefazat-e-Islam leaders.
“Native Hefazat leaders demanded that the competition be cancelled. Allowing the very finest can have ended in unwanted situations. We did no longer grant permission for it occupied with the safety reasons,” he said.
Earlier on 15 November, local Hefazat leaders brought out a procession in Narayanganj annoying the cancellation of the Lalon competition.
Talking at a rally discontinuance to the Mutidham Academy, Hefazat’s Central Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdul Awal on the day said, “We gathered here to withstand injustice. We, the Tauhidi folk, are no longer low in numbers in Narayanganj. If well-known, we are able to switch forward with the Tawhidi crowd, we are able to conception how this [Lalan festival] also can honest additionally be stopped.”
“I will dispute the administration that wicked issues can occur here. The Muslim Tawhidi crowd isn’t any longer tantalizing to compromise. If well-known, we are able to stop with our hands,” he threatened.
Following the rally, local Touhidi groups threatened to vandalise and space fireplace to the Muktidham Ashram.
Following threats by the Hefazat leaders, organisers of the competition sought security from local administrations on 19 November. But their quiz turned into once denied.
