Published: 12:02 AM, 27 October 2026
Police halt human chain against attacks on Baul culture
Police on Monday prevented cultural activists from holding a human chain in the capital's Dhanmondi to protest the obstruction of female Baul singers in Sunamganj and other alleged attacks on cultural programmes across the country, detaining former Bangladesh Chhatra Union president Dipak Shil during a confrontation.
The activists gathered in front of Meena Bazar at Dhanmondi 27 around 4 pm under the banner of 'Protestive Artists and People' (Protiabadi Shilpi Janata) to protest what they described as attacks and aggression by groups acting in the name of 'Tawhidi Janata' against Baul music and other cultural events.
More than 100 police personnel were seen deployed in the area from around 3:30 pm ahead of the planned programme, UNB reports.
Drama activist Sumona Islam approached the police to ask whether the activists would be allowed to hold the human chain. She was later joined by Dipak Shil, who was involved in a discussion with police officers.
The officers were heard saying they had instructions from higher authorities to ensure that no provocative remarks or slogans were made during the programme.
Police also referred to a previous human chain at the same location where participants had chanted 'Joy Bangla'.
In response, Dipak reportedly asked, "Why has the slogan Joy Bangla become invalid? We chanted this slogan during the July uprising as well."
Police then asked for his identity. Following a heated exchange, officers detained him and took him to a police vehicle.
Dipak is a former president of both the Dhaka metropolitan unit and the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra Union.
Sumona Islam tried to prevent police from taking him away and alleged that officers behaved aggressively towards her and pulled her during the incident.
"Police detained Dipak without any reason. We condemn this and demand his immediate release," she said.
Contacted for comment, Mohammad Ibn Mizan, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Tejgaon division, said the activists were asked not to use provocative slogans or make provocative remarks.
"They responded by questioning whether the slogan Joy Bangla had become invalid. During the ensuing argument, one person was detained for preliminary questioning," he said.
At around 4:20 pm, the activists stood together and chanted slogans, including 'No place for fundamentalists in this Bengal', 'Rise up, Bengal, against attacks on culture' and 'Your and my address is the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna'.
One of the organisers, Faruk H Khan, told journalists that the incident reflected an inability to tolerate even a peaceful programme.
"If even this kind of sit-in programme cannot be tolerated, then there is nothing more we can do. Baul and Bengali culture are under attack across the country. We strongly condemn and protest these incidents," he said.
The protesters left the area around 4:30 pm.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Chhatra Union's Dhaka metropolitan unit issued a statement condemning Dipak's arrest and demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
The statement, dated October 26, said his detention over the alleged chanting of 'Joy Bangla' violated freedom of expression and democratic rights. It described the slogan as deeply connected to Bangladesh's liberation struggle and the Liberation War, adding that no one should be arrested or harassed for using it.
The organisation also expressed concern over reported attacks on Baul and folk artists, restrictions on cultural programmes and attempts to silence dissenting voices.
It called on the authorities to ensure cultural freedom and freedom of expression for Baul performers, folk artists, cultural activists and citizens, and urged students, artists and progressive democratic forces to unite in defending these rights.
