On 18th August, the Muslims of village Chiksa of Tahirpur Upazila of district Sunamganj in Bangladesh banned music at weddings, birthdays or any other events, as per reports. It has been decided that anyone who plays music or any musical instrument will face legal action. The rule was implemented by the elders of the village.
A report in Desh Rupantor claimed that the rule was introduced as music was being played at high volumes during social events that disturbed the patients, elderly and children in the village. Furthermore, as music is forbidden in Islam, the elders decided to implement the rule that no one would play music in the town anymore. The Hindu residents of the town did not resist the directives.
It is pertinent to note that Hindus are a minority in Bangladesh and have also come under severe attack after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. There have been several cases of houses and businesses of Hindus being vandalised, Hindu women being raped, men being attacked and temples being vandalised.
Union Parishad member of Ward 9 in village Chiksa, Shafiqul Haque, told the media that the village is the largest in Sadar Union. 80% of the population is Muslim while the remaining are Hindus. Large speakers were often used in the town during weddings, birthdays and circumcision ceremonies. The loud noise caused significant distress to heart patients, the elderly and children. Thus, it was collectively decided to ban music at events.
He added that those who fail to comply would face legal action. He asserted that the elders banned music only for the Muslim families in the village and not on the Hindu families.
Chairman of Tahirpur Sadar Union Parishad, Junab Ali, said that loud music was causing trouble for many and has been legally restricted. Calling it a commendable initiative, Ali said that Chiksa is a large village with a Muslim majority population. He asserted there should be no objection to the decision and expressed satisfaction that so far no one objected or opposed the ban.
Sharing the information, author Taslima Nasreen wrote on X, “In a village of Tahirpur, Sunamganj, Bangladesh, mullahs declared that music would be prohibited from now on. People will be punished if they sing or play any musical instrument.”
In a village of Tahirpur, Sunamganj, Bangladesh, mullahs declared that music would be prohibited from now on. People will be punished if they sing or play any music instrument. #Islamization pic.twitter.com/BBS93Yg3Oj
— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) August 18, 2024
She called it the “Islamization” of the village.
The report of ban on music has come at a time when Bangladesh is going through political turmoil. On 5th August, following series of violent protests, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, resigned from the post and fled to India. An interim government was formed in the country after Bangladeshi Army took over. Since then, attacks on Hindus have increased by several folds across country. OpIndia has been reporting the attacks extensively and can be checked here.
