Swadhinata Concert postponed for Gaza tragedy

Shobar Agey Bangladesh Foundation, a pro-BNP social and cultural organisation, announced on Monday night the postponement of its planned Swadhinata Concert for a temporary period, expressing solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians in Gaza and Rafah.

Organisation's president Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and general secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul made the announcement in a press release.

"We have decided to temporarily postpone the concert, which was scheduled to take place simultaneously in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, and Bogra on April 12, by expressing our solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza and Rafah," he said.

Earlier, a delegation from Shobar Agey Bangladesh, led by Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, met DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali at his office, seeking the law enforcement's full cooperation to ensure the smooth organisation of the concert.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Annie said they have decided to hold their scheduled Swadhinata Concert at four venues simultaneously on April 12, instead of the previously planned date of April 11, in order to support protests against the mass killings and severe human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.

"Swadhinata Concert of Shobar Agey Bangladesh was initially scheduled for April 11, not only in Dhaka but also in Chattogram, Khulna, and Bogura. But we will all unite this Friday to participate in a procession protesting the heinous and barbaric genocide in the Gaza Strip," he said.

On March 27, Shobar Agey Bangladesh Foundation announced it would hold the 'Swadhinata Concert' on April 11 in four divisional cities, including Dhaka, from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

This organisation had previously organised the "Bijoy Concert" at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka last December to commemorate Victory Day.