A traditional annual boat race scheduled to take place on the Sunai River in Sylhet’s Beanibazar upazila has sparked local controversy. A faction identifying as the Tawhidi Janata has demanded the cancellation of the upcoming event on 28 August, setting off a heated digital and verbal dispute with local organisers who remain determined to preserve the regional cultural festivity.
The dispute centres around the local youth communities of Lauta and Bahadurpur villages within Lauta union, who have historically organised this river race without facing any prior opposition. However, the emergence of social media campaigns calling for a complete ban on the contest has amplified local anxieties, with residents increasingly fearful of potential confrontations.
A local businessman from the Gangpar area, speaking anonymously, noted that while young residents have successfully organised the Sunai River boat race for years, recent posts by individuals named Jewel, Opu, and a few others on social media platforms have actively rallied against the event, raising tensions within the community.
Another resident, who also requested anonymity, expressed deep frustration over the sudden opposition, describing the boat race as a vital source of seasonal entertainment that draws hundreds of spectators to the riverbanks annually. Despite this widespread local support, threats issued under the banner of the Tawhidi Janata have cast a shadow over the preparations.
The brewing conflict escalated last Thursday when a meeting held at the Barigram Bazar mosque by the Tawhidi Janata Lauta Union formally concluded with a demand to scrap the competition entirely.
In an effort to defuse the escalating situation, former Lauta Union Parishad chairman Gous Uddin indicated that community elders and local stakeholders are attempting to mediate discussions between both opposing sides to reach a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, current Lauta Union Parishad chairman Delwar Hossain acknowledged that discussions regarding the event are circulating online, though he noted limited official awareness of the grassroots dispute.
Beanibazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Jafor Mohammad Mahfuzul Karim stated that law enforcement had not received any formal prior notice regarding the planned boat race or the emerging controversies, adding that police would investigate the matter promptly and take necessary steps to maintain public order.
