Islamic song at Ctg puja mandap draws criticism

A performance of an Islamic song at a Durga Puja mandap in Chattogram has stirred heavy criticism on social media.

The incident took place yesterday (10 October) evening at the Puja Mandap of JM Sen Hall, famous as the port city's first town hall.

Chattogram Cultural Academy performed two Bengali songs there – "Age Ki Sundor Din Kataitam" by Baul Shah Abdul Karim and "Shudhu Musolmaner Lagi Aseniko Islam" by Chowdhury Abdul Halim. 

According to local sources, around 7:30pm, six members of the musical group took the stage and performed the two songs.

A video of the second song was widely shared on Facebook, sparking controversy. 

Confusion also arose regarding the video, with netizens questioning its authenticity. However, fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner posted on social media stated that the video was not edited.

AFP Fact Check Editor Qadaruddin Shishir also stated that though some people have claimed the viral video is fake or edited, this is not true. He confirmed that the video is authentic and has not been manipulated.

Regarding the incident, Hillu Sen Ujjal, joint general secretary of the Chattogram Puja Udjapan Parisahad, told The Business Standard, "I wasn't present when the songs were performed. The group went on stage after our joint secretary, Sajal Dutta, spoke with them. We are discussing the matter." 

When asked about rumours that the group forcibly took the stage, Hillu Sen clarified that they performed with permission.

Sajal Dutta, who gave the approval, could not be reached for comments.

Amid the many discussions regarding the video online, some were linking the group with Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir. However, the city Jamaat has said that the musical group is not affiliated with any wing of Jamaat.

The Chittagong Cultural Academy also denied any link with Jamaat. It also rejected the allegations that they forcibly took the stage, stating that they were invited by the puja committee to perform.

Speaking to TBS, Selim Jaman, president of the academy, said, "We were invited by Sajal Babu. He called and asked us to perform a patriotic song. Six of our members went there and performed a patriotic song and a song promoting harmony. One of them was 'Aage Ki Sundor Din Kataitam,' and another mentioning Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. No Jamaat leaders were present. Only six of us went, so why would it be forced?"

Selim added that the academy, founded in 2015, is focused on cultural activities and is not affiliated with Jamaat or any political party. 

When contacted, Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat's Nayeb-e-Ameer and spokesperson AZM Obaidullah told TBS, "Jamaat has no involvement with this event. After hearing about the incident, we investigated, and no Jamaat leaders were present there."

Salauddin Akash, publicity secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan North Chhatra Shibir, issued a brief statement, protesting the notion that his organisation was involved with the incident.

"False propaganda is being spread on social media involving Islami Chhatra Shibir in relation to the performance of an Islamic song at the religious festival of the Hindu community at JM Sen Hall in Chattogram. Islami Chhatra Shibir has no connection with the incident," the statement read.

The Chhatra Shibir Chattogram Metropolitan North Branch President Fakhrul Islam, and Secretary Tanzir Hossain Jewel, also strongly condemned the incident.

Following the incident, Apurba Jahangir, deputy press secretary to the chief adviser, along with assistant press secretaries Nayem Ali and Suchismita Tithi, and Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam, visited the puja mandap. 

During the visit, the DC assured the Puja committee of all-out support and said, "Those involved in the incident will face legal action."

The Puja committee has since decided to expel Sajal Dutta for allowing the performance without proper approval. 

Ashish Dey, president of the Chattogram Puja Udjapan Parishad, confirmed the decision.