Rock singer James’ concert in Bangladesh called off after mob attack, 10 injured

A concert by popular Bangladeshi rock singer James at a school in Faridpur city was cancelled on Friday after a mob attacked the venue with stones and bricks, Bangladesh news outlet The Daily Star reported.

The incident occurred around 9 pm local time at the Faridpur District School campus, where James was scheduled to perform as part of celebrations marking the institution’s 185th anniversary.

According to organisers, the attack was carried out by “outsiders,” forcing authorities to call off the concert despite full preparations. The decision to cancel the event was taken on the instructions of the Faridpur deputy commissioner, bdnews24 reported. The attackers allegedly attempted to force their way into the venue and hurled bricks in an effort to seize the stage.

“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,” Rajibul Hasan Khan, head of the anniversary publicity and media subcommittee, was quoted as saying.

Reports said students resisted the attackers and managed to push them back, but around 10 to 15 students were injured when stones and bricks were thrown.

Videos purportedly showing the attack circulated on social media, drawing widespread condemnation over the cancellation of the veteran singer’s concert. Several users blamed extremist groups for the vandalism.