Boat race, held braving 'Tawhidi Janata' objections, draws thousands in Sylhet
Earlier, a group of people identifying themselves as 'Tawhidi Janata' had demanded cancellation of the traditional event.
A traditional boat race was held in a festive atmosphere in Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet today (28 August), despite objections from a group identifying itself as "Tawhidi Janata".
The race took place in the afternoon on the Sunai River in Lauta Union, drawing thousands of spectators who gathered along both banks from noon.
The annual event was organised, as in previous years, by the Lauta-Bahadurpur youth community of the union. However, local groups identifying themselves as "Touhidi Janata" had opposed the event this year.
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A group using the "Tawhidi Janata" banner posted on Facebook calling for the competition to be cancelled. They also held a meeting at Barigram Bazar Mosque under the banner of "Tawhidi Janata Lauta Union" and demanded that the event be called off.
On 22 August, the local union parishad chairman held a meeting with representatives of both sides.
After the meeting, Lauta Union Parishad Chairman Delwar Hossain said, "The boat race will be held this year as scheduled. However, they will not organise the boat race on the Sunai River from next year."
The controversy surrounding the event drew attention from across the country, with people travelling from distant areas to Beanibazar to watch the race.
Members of Beanibazar police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed along the riverbanks to prevent any untoward incident.
The race began in the afternoon with boats decorated in different colours. Boats named "Swadhin Bangla", "Bagh" and "Pagla Nao" took part in the competition.
Boatmen added to the festive atmosphere by singing traditional songs, including "Kon mestri nao banaise" and "Nao chhariya de, pal uraiya de", during the race.
Aminul Islam, general secretary of the organising committee, said the event was held with great enthusiasm despite the objections.
"This year, the largest number of people in recent memory gathered to watch the boat race," he said.
He added that local people would decide whether the event would be held in the future.
