Baul songs will be held alongside waz and kirtan in my constituency: Rumeen Farhana

Barrister Rumeen Farhana, MP for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency has said that alongside waz and kirtan, Baul music gatherings will also be held in her electoral area.

“No obstruction to Baul music or shrine-based cultural practices will be tolerated,” she said while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 58th commemoration and annual urs of the spiritual figure Abdul Qadir Shah (RA) in the Dagorishar area of Ashuganj last night (26 March).

Rumeen Farhana said that over the past 18 months under the interim government, there have been repeated incidents of shrine demolitions and disruptions to Baul music gatherings.

“Practitioners of Baul music have been detained, harassed, and, in some cases, imprisoned. I do not know whether any other politician has protested,” she said. “But I can affirm that I have raised my voice against each and every instance of shrine demolition.”

She further said that even a day after Eid-ul-Fitr, a Baul music gathering in Sylhet was vandalised.

“I want to state clearly that as long as I remain responsible for Sarail, Ashuganj, and parts of Bijoynagar, waz will be held, kirtan will be held, and Baul music gatherings will also take place in my area,” she added.

She noted that preserving, nurturing, and advancing Bangladesh’s heritage and culture is a collective responsibility, as is ensuring that future generations are aware of it.

“Those associated with Baul music and shrines are an integral part of our cultural fabric. Therefore, each individual should be free to follow their own path, and no one should interfere in the beliefs of others,” Rumeen Farhana said.