Ctg poetry recital programme 'halted' midway over poem mentioning Mujib
The incident took place at around 10:30am, when a performer started reciting poet Rabiul Hussain's poem "Ek Second e Matro Char Foot" (Only four feet in one second)
A poetry recital event in Chattogram was reportedly halted midway amid objections over the mention of the country's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's honorific 'Bangabandhu' this morning (21 February).
The incident occurred at around in front of the Police Plaza at Kotwali area of the port city.
The event was organised marking the occasion of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day.
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According to locals, Jatiotabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) Chattogram, a cultural wing of the BNP, led by its convener MA Musa Babul and member secretary Mamunur Rashid intervened in the programme after one performer recited a poem that stated Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's popular honorofic 'Bangabandhu'.
The incident took place at around 10:30am, when a performer started reciting poet Rabiul Hussain's poem "Ek Second e Matro Char Foot" (Only four feet in one second), but as soon as the word "Bangabandhu" was mentioned, JASAS objected and demanded that the organisers apologise and halt the event.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Business Standard, JASAS Chattogram's Member Secretary Mamunur Rashid claimed that the "poem referred to Chief Adviser Yunus, as a 'Razakar' and an 'old vulture,' while calling Sheikh Hasina 'Janani' (mother)".
He said, "This angered the local people. We were on our way to lay wreaths at the Shaheed Minar when people called us after seeing our banner. We intervened to protect the organisers and the performers from public outrage.
Speaking about the incident, one of the organisers, Mishfaq Rasel of Noren Abritti Academy, said, "We were unaware that the performer would recite this poem. We also did not anticipate that someone would protest over a poetry recitation. It seems like a personal vendetta played a role in this incident.
"However, the event was not stopped entirely. Two songs were performed afterwards before concluding the programme," he said.
When contracted, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Karim, said, "We heard about an issue arising from the mention of 'Bangabandhu' during a recitation event.
"Our mobile team was present in the area, but by the time they arrived at the spot, the event had already ended. No reports of violence were received."
