A Lalon Sadhusanga in Narayanganj was sharply scaled back Saturday after protests from a local religious group pressured authorities to restrict the annual spiritual gathering.
Lalon, the 19th-century Bengali mystic poet and reformer, preached a humanist philosophy that rejected caste, class and creed and influenced figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. His followers still gather annually at the Lalon Akhra in Kushtia to celebrate his songs and teachings.
Organisers said they were told to hold this year’s programme in “limited scale,” indoors and with reduced speaker volume, resulting in a steep drop in visitors and stalls. Protest leader Mufti Abdul Hannan claimed “immoral activities” occur at such events.
Ashram founder Fakir Shahjalal said hundreds of devotees cancelled their plans. Cultural activist Rafiur Rabbi criticised the administration’s “double standard.” Law enforcers remained deployed.