2 held over Islamic song performance at Ctg Puja mandap
Authorities immediately did not disclose the identities of the duo and the charges over which they have been taken into custody
Police have arrested two people in connection with the performance of an Islamic song on the stage of a Durga Puja mandap in Chattogram city.
The authorities immediately did not disclose the identities of the duo arrested last night (10 October) and this morning (11 October). The charges over which they have been taken into custody are yet to be disclosed as well.
According to Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Kazi Mohammad Tarek Aziz, the arrests followed the filing of a case last night over the incident that took place at the Puja mandap at JM Sen Hall, famous as the port city's first town hall, on Thursday evening.
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Speaking to The Business Standard (TBS) today, Aziz confirmed that two people were indeed arrested and further details would be provided at a press conference scheduled for 11:30am at the Dampara Police Lines.
However, the Bangla daily Prothom Alo in a report identified the arrestees as Shahidul Karim and Nurul Islam.
Thursday evening's incident has drawn much attention from various quarters, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial performance. More information is expected to emerge as the police briefing unfolds later today.
Six members of Chittagong Cultural Academy took the stage at around 7:30pm Thursday and performed two Bengali songs – "Age Ki Sundor Din Kataitam" by Baul Shah Abdul Karim and "Shudhu Musolmaner Lagi Aseniko Islam" by Chowdhury Abdul Halim.
A video of the second song was widely shared on Facebook, sparking controversy.
Regarding the incident, Hillu Sen Ujjal, general secretary of the Chattogram Puja Celebration Council, 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, was unavailable for comments.
