Published: 01:17 AM, 30 August 2026
Ignoring 'Tawhidi Janata' Objections, Massive Crowd Gathers for Sunai River Boat Race
A boat race was organized at Beanibazar under Sylhet district on Friday which was witnessed and enjoyed by a huge number of spectators. -AA
Defying opposition from a local group operating under the banner of 'Tawhidi Janata', a traditional boat race competition took place on the Sunai River in Sylhet's Beanibazar upazila, drawing thousands of enthusiastic spectators along both riverbanks. The event was held on Friday afternoon in the Sunai River under Lauta Union, confirmed Aminul Islam, general secretary of the organizing committee. He stated that the competition proceeded as scheduled, with Emran Ahmad Chowdhury, Member of Parliament for the Sylhet-6 constituency, present as a guest.
First opposition in years organized annually by the Lauta-Bahadurpur Youth Community of Lauta Union, this long-standing local tradition faced opposition for the first time in its history. According to the organizers, individuals using the 'Tawhidi Janata' banner campaigned on Facebook demanding the cancellation of the event. A group under the banner 'Tawhidi Janata Lauta Union' also held a meeting at the Baraigram Bazar Mosque to demand that the race be called off. In response to the growing friction, a resolution meeting was held on Saturday night at the Baraigram Bazar Pubali Bank PLC building.
The gathering brought together local youths, village elders, public representatives, and residents from various professions across Lauta Union to discuss local sentiment and ways to avoid future conflicts. Organizers noted that no representatives from 'Tawhidi Janata' attended the meeting.
As a festive atmosphere under police presence prevailed, crowds began swelling along both banks of the Sunai River starting early Friday afternoon. To ensure safety and avoid any untoward incidents, personnel from the Beanibazar Police Station and other law enforcement agencies were deployed on-site. The competition kicked off later in the afternoon featuring vibrantly decorated traditional boats, including key competitors like Swadhin Bangla, Bagh, and Pagla Nao. Boatmen sang traditional folk songs throughout the races, keeping the festive cultural ambience brisk and spectacular until the end of the event.
>>Abdul Halim Shagor, AA
