Popular Ark vocalist Hasan faced an unpleasant incident while performing at the ‘Borsha Biplober Gaan’ concert at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, organised by the Monsoon Cultural Alliance to mark the anniversary of the July Mass Uprising.
A water bottle thrown from the audience struck Hasan on the head. Videos of the incident have spread on social media. Despite the incident, Hasan remained composed and continued singing.
The Bangladesh Band Music Fans Community condemned the incident on its verified Facebook page, saying artistes have faced similar treatment at concerts before. It praised Hasan for continuing his performance and questioned whether the organisers apologised or took legal action. The community also called for those responsible to be identified and punished, and questioned free-concert management, proposing symbolic entry fees to improve crowd control and accountability.
Sol’s band member Mir Masum wrote, “The decline began when concerts became free. Unless free concerts are stopped, such incidents will continue to happen.”
Music director and lyricist Prince Mahmud questioned the motive and security arrangements. He wrote, “Yesterday, while Hasan was performing with his band, some people threw bottles at him. Why? A group in the front was shouting ‘fake, fake’. Who were they? What was their purpose in attending the event?”
He added, “This could have caused a major accident. There were enough CCTV and mobile phone cameras there. They could easily be identified. Mark every one of them.”
Mahmud also asked, “Ensuring the highest level of security for an artiste performing on stage is a key condition for any successful event or programme. Did the organisers properly fulfil this responsibility?”
Actor Misha Sawdagor wrote, “Brother, we should all stand together.” Singer Robi Chowdhury said, “Very sad.” Singer Lutfor Hasan wrote, “It is not difficult to identify them. I want to see them punished.”
Lyricist-composer Tanvir Tareq urged authorities to identify those responsible, saying, “They tried to insult our beloved vocalist Hasan. Tomorrow they will do it to someone else. If they are given shelter, this will only grow.”
Actor and stand-up comedian Mehedi Taru called the incident a deep embarrassment, saying Hasan, who has given listeners countless memories since the 1990s, deserved respect, not humiliation.
The identities of those involved remain unconfirmed. Artistes and audiences have urged authorities to analyse the footage, clarify the organisers’ position and strengthen concert security.
