How clashes at rock musician James’ concert in Bangladesh unfolded

A mob in Bangladesh disrupted popular Bangladeshi rock musician James’ scheduled concert at a local government school in Faridpur city. The clashes at the Faridpur Zila School campus left more than a dozen people injured.

The chaos forced the organisers to cancel the concert by rock icon James, also known as Nagar Baul. The incident further puts the spotlight on the law and order situation in Bangladesh, which has been gripped by incidents of arson and violence since the killing of Inqilab Moncho leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

We take a look.

Chaos at James’ concert in Bangladesh

Legendary rock musician James’ concert was cancelled on Friday (December 26) night after an attack by alleged “outsiders”.

The concert was set to begin around 9:30 pm at the Faridpur Zila School campus, marking the institution’s 185th anniversary, as per a Prothom Alo report.

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The organising committee said that a group of outsiders tried to storm the venue after being denied entry. While only registered former and current students were allowed to attend the concert, several thousand outsiders gathered outside the venue for James’ concert

They turned violent when security personnel and organisers stopped them.

Citing witnesses, the Bangladesh newspaper reported that these outsiders hurled bricks and stones at the stage and audience, triggering panic. The group also attempted to take over the stage. Unverified footage on social media shows one side throwing stones while the other using chairs as cover.

On Friday, 26 December, James, the iconic voice of Bangladeshi rock was scheduled to headline the 185th anniversary concert of Faridpur Zilla School. What should have been a celebration turned into chaos when an extremist group attacked the venue, vandalized property, and forced… pic.twitter.com/htpsEdxQys

— Dipanwita Rumi(দীপান্বিতা রুমী) (@dipanwitarumi) December 26, 2025

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Students of Faridpur Zila School resisted the attackers, forcing them to retreat. At least 25 people, including students, were injured in the incident.

James’ concert cancelled after chaos

James, the voice behind hits like Bheegi Bheegi from the Bollywood film Gangster and Alvida from Life In A Metro, was to perform at the Faridpur Zila School, which was to be the closing event of the two-day anniversary programme.

However, his concert, which drew thousands of students and alumni, was cancelled minutes before it was to begin. As the chaos unfolded, organisers decided to call off the event.

Around 10:00 pm, convener of the organising committee, Dr Mustafizur Rahman Shamim,  announced that the concert had been cancelled after orders from the Faridpur Deputy Commissioner.

As per the media outlet bdnews24, Rajibul Hasan Khan, head of the anniversary publicity and media subcommittee, said: “We had completed all preparations to make James’ concert a success. But we do not understand why, for what reason, or who carried out the attack.”

He added, “At least 15 to 20 students were injured by the impact of the bricks. Considering the overall situation, we were compelled to cancel the programme following instructions from the district administration."

James was rescued amid the chaos and taken away from the venue under security cover. There were no reported injuries to the artist or his band members.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Azmir Hossain said the exact number of injured was yet to be known. He also claimed that the attackers were not part of any militant or criminal group, as per The Business Standard. 

“We believe they were fans of James. Out of frustration at being deprived of listening to their favourite artist’s performance, they carried out the attack. There is nothing beyond that,” he added.

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Recent attacks on cultural institutions in Bangladesh

This is the third known attack on a cultural icon or group in recent days in Bangladesh.

Last week, renowned classical musician Shiraz Ali Khan, a great-grandson of Ustad Alauddin Khan, vowed not to return to Bangladesh until artists, music and cultural institutions are “respected and protected”.

He was to take part in an event at Chhayanaut Shongskriti Bhaban in Dhaka on December 19. However, the event was called off after the premises were attacked, vandalised, and set ablaze early that night.

Later, in a Facebook post, he wrote that the decision did not stem from anger, but “with responsibility — to his family’s legacy, art, and safety”.

“I still believe in the power of music to heal and unite. I only hope that one day, respect for art and culture returns strongly enough for that bridge to be rebuilt,” he said.

Last week, a mob set fire to the office of Udichi Shilpigosthi, one of the country’s most prominent cultural organisations, in Dhaka.

Arman Khan, son of renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan, had called off his scheduled concerts in Bangladesh amid growing unrest following the death of Hadi.

He was to perform in Bangladesh on December 25. However, citing safety concerns, including attacks on Hindus, and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the neighbouring country, the musician cancelled his appearances.

“The situation in Bangladesh is unfit for any artist to visit or perform. I strongly condemn the torture which Hindus are being subjected to in Bangladesh,” Arman told Metro.

With inputs from agencies