Event to make spiritual leader Lalon's death anniversary cancelled in Bangladesh amid objections by Islamic group

According to reports, objections were raised by a group named Hefazat-e-Islam.

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The festival was scheduled to be organised by Madhupur Lalon Sangha from Wednesday.

It was aiming to mark the 134th death anniversary of the spiritual leader.

According to information provided by Madhupur Lalon Sangha, the event was supposed to have Madhupur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Jubayer Hossain as the chief guest, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Regarding the matter, festival organizing committee convener Sabuj Mia told the newspaper: "We organized the event with permission from the upazila administration and relevant authorities. However, in the face of objections from Hefazat-e-Islam, we could not hold the event."

Speaking about the objections, Hefazat-e-Islam's Mahmudullah told Dhaka Tribune: "We objected to the propagation of Lalon's misguided ideology because it contradicts Islam."

Bangladesh has been witnessing a spike in attacks on minorities ever since the interim government came to power in the South Asian country following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024 amid massive protests against her regime over a job quota row.

Who was Lalon?

Lalon, who was also known as Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir, Shahji, was a Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, mystic poet and social reformer.

Regarded as an icon of Bengali culture, he inspired and influenced many philosophers, poets and social thinkers including Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Allen Ginsberg.