May 9, 2025 7:13 am
Full News

Threats to ‘Burn Everything’ Force Abrupt Cancellation of Lalon Mela in Narayanganj

The much-anticipated ‘Mohoti Sadhusanga and Lalon Mela,’ set to celebrate the legacy of mystic saint Lalon Shah in Narayanganj Sadar Upazila, was abruptly canceled following threats by the islamists group. The venue, once adorned with preparations, now stands desolate as devotees return home, their songs of devotion replaced by an unsettling silence.

Rising Tensions and Protests

The two-day festival was scheduled to begin Friday evening at the Muktidham Ashram and Lalon Academy in Norosinghpur village, but local opposition from a group identified as the ‘Tawhidi Janata’ disrupted plans. On Friday, a memorandum demanding the event’s cancellation was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Narayanganj, Md Mahmudul Hoque.

“The organizers sought permission, but due to concerns over law and order, the event was prohibited,” said Hoque.

In the preceding days, protests escalated. Last week, hundreds marched through Narsinghpur, calling for the event’s cancellation. During a gathering at a nearby Eidgah field, Abdul Awal, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Hifazat-e Islam, warned of consequences should the festival proceed.

A Halted Celebration

On Friday morning, panic spread across the Muktidham Ashram. The tarpaulin set up for the event was dismantled, bamboo poles stood bare, and the premises were under police surveillance. Organizers and devotees expressed despair.

Fakir Shah Jalal, the event organizer, shared his heartbreak:
 “Devotees traveled from afar, but now they are leaving. We had hoped to share Saiji’s philosophy, but threats to ‘burn everything’ forced us to stop. The decorators dismantled the setup out of fear, and the administration asked everyone to leave.”

Jalal noted his repeated but unsuccessful attempts to secure permission from local authorities. Despite plans to scale down the event, the situation worsened.

Voices of Disappointment

Devotees lamented their shattered hopes. Kamal Uddin, a 57-year-old devotee from Cumilla, shared, “I came to sing two songs in Saiji’s name, but I’m leaving without singing even one.”

Similarly, Rafiqul Islam, a vendor, faced financial loss. “I rented a car for Tk 18,000 and am now left with a Tk 22,000 loss. I’ve never faced harassment like this in 19 years.”

Meanwhile, 65-year-old Monowara Begum sat near the ashram’s altar, defiantly remarking, “After dinner, I’ll play the pot and spoon. Will they attack us for that too?”

Cultural and Political Backlash

The cancellation drew criticism from cultural and political figures. On Wednesday, the Narayanganj Cultural Alliance organized a human chain to protest the threats, condemning the closure as an attack on cultural freedom. However, their appeals failed to reverse the decision.

Fear Among Devotees

The cancellation left devotees not only disheartened but also fearful of potential violence. Assistant Sub-Inspector Md Jahangir from Fatulla Model Police Station stated, “Some locals opposed the event. We are here to maintain law and order.”

The abrupt halt of the Lalon Mela reflects deeper challenges to cultural expression in the region. As the venue remains silent, it symbolizes not just the cancellation of an event but the suppression of a philosophy deeply rooted in Bengal’s folk tradition.

Related News
Israel Launches World’s First Nationwide AI Tutoring System
Musk’s Commission Gains Access to Sensitive U.S. Treasury Data
Top US Officials Heading to Paris for Talks on Ukraine and Iran
HTS Leader Criticizes Israeli Incursion into Golan Heights but Rules Out Retaliation
Gaza deal after 96 hours of tense talks: US official
Sea Levels Rose Again in 2024 Due to Record-Breaking Temperatures
Related Posts
IPL 2025 Suspended Indefinitely Amid India-Pakistan Conflict
Trump Appoints Jeanine Pirro as Interim U.S. Attorney for D.C.
U.S. Consulate in Lahore Orders Staff to Take Shelter Amid Security Threats
Journalist Attacked with Bricks by Miscreants in Bangladesh
Alert in Rajasthan and Punjab: Police Leave Cancelled, Missiles Ready
India Launches Overnight Drone Strikes Across Pakistan; 25 Drones Shot Down
More News

Kashmir Attack: US Urges India to Avoid Broader Conflict

Following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated significantly, raising fears of a potential military conflict. Citing intelligence reports, India has hinted at the possibility of launching an attack on Pakistan. In response, the United States has urged India to avoid a broader conflict in the […]

India Postpones ₹5,000 Crore Infrastructure Project in Bangladesh Amid Political Unrest

New Delhi, April 21, 2025 — India has postponed a significant infrastructure project in Bangladesh, valued at approximately ₹5,000 crore, due to the ongoing political instability in the neighboring country. This decision reflects India’s concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of […]

Cyclone Dana Strikes Eastern India, Forcing Mass Evacuations and Triggering Severe Weather Warnings

Cyclone Dana struck eastern India’s Odisha coast on Friday, bringing heavy rain and winds reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour (70 mph) as it made landfall near the town of Chandbali. The storm, classified as the equivalent of a tropical storm, was located about 250 kilometers southwest of Kolkata, moving slowly north-northwest at 12 […]

Malala Delighted to Return to Pakistan

Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, has arrived in Pakistan to attend an international conference on girls’ education in the Muslim world. She expressed being “overwhelmed” at returning to her homeland after a long time, according to a report by the French news agency AFP on Saturday. Malala became a […]

Tragic Skies: Diverse Lives Lost in Devastating DC Plane Crash

Recovery efforts continue in Washington DC following a horrific mid-air collision involving an American Airlines flight from Kansas and a military helicopter, which occurred on Wednesday night. The crash resulted in the loss of 64 lives aboard the plane, including a group of elite figure skaters, a budding pilot, and a professor, along with three […]

Martial Law in South Korea

Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of the Republic of South Korea, has declared martial law in the country on an emergency basis. In a televised address to the nation today, Tuesday, he announced that the measure was taken to protect the country from “communist forces.” In his speech, Yoon Suk Yeol stated, “To safeguard liberal […]

Greece in Advanced Talks to Acquire Israeli Rocket Systems in Military Modernization Push

ATHENS – Greece is in advanced negotiations to purchase 36 PULS rocket artillery systems from Israel, a deal worth an estimated €600-700 million ($630-735 million), two officials confirmed on Friday. The move is part of Athens’ multi-billion euro effort to modernize its military. The proposed deal, which includes domestic production of components, will be submitted […]

Haiti: Gang Leader Accused of Killing 110 Elderly Residents Over Witchcraft Claims

At least 110 people were killed in Haiti’s Cite Soleil slum over the weekend after a gang leader targeted elderly residents, accusing them of using witchcraft to harm his child, the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) reported on December 9. Monel “Mikano” Felix, leader of the Viv Ansanm gang, allegedly ordered the massacre after […]

Trump and Putin to Meet in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine Peace Talks

Washington, D.C. (February 12, 2025) – In a surprising development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he expects to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia for peace talks regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement follows a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call between the two leaders, marking their first confirmed contact […]

South Korea’s Spy Agency Warns Against Chinese AI App DeepSeek

SEOUL, Feb 10 (Reuters) – South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has issued a warning about the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, accusing it of “excessively” collecting personal data and using it to train itself. The NIS also raised concerns about the app’s inconsistent responses to sensitive questions related to national pride. Key Points: The Chinese […]