Protesters Attempt to Halt Cultural Event at Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka

A group of local residents tried to stop a cultural programme at Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka on Wednesday evening, objecting to what they described as "a song-and-dance" event.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and managed by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, was scheduled for 7:00 pm to commemorate the 163rd birth anniversary of music legend Ustad Alauddin Khan.

Before the programme began, protesters gathered at the fort’s entrance, chanting slogans such as “No song and dance on Lalbagh grounds.” Some raised concerns about the proximity of Lalbagh Shahi Mosque and a madrasa. One protester said, “We don’t want our money spent on singing and dancing that harms the sanctity of the mosque and madrasa.”

Police stepped in and clarified that the programme would feature classical music only, without any dance performances. Lalbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mostafa Kamal Khan told reporters that the crowd dispersed peacefully after understanding the nature of the event.