Visually impaired street musician Helal Mia and his family resumed singing at the Municipal Open Stage (Pouro Muktomancha) in Brahmanbaria city today, Tuesday, six days after they halted their performance following alleged threats from individuals identified as “madrasa students.”
The family, who depend entirely on singing for their livelihood, performed around 10:00 AM, but Helal Mia confirmed that the fear triggered by the threats has not yet subsided. Despite the serious allegations, police have yet to take any effective action in connection with the incident.
The Incident and Hiatus
According to Helal Mia’s account, on Wednesday (November 26) afternoon, several young men, described as madrasa students, approached him and instructed him to cease singing and instead resort to begging. They allegedly threatened to smash his musical instruments if he did not comply. The threat caused intense fear, prompting Helal and his eight-member visually impaired family to stop their daily musical sessions, resulting in a complete loss of income for nearly a week.
“The past six days without income were extremely difficult for us,” Helal Mia told reporters. “I started singing again today following encouragement from Kochi Bhai (Hafizur Rahman Molla). However, the place where we usually sat has been occupied by hawkers, so we had to move to a nearby spot.”
He added, “Today, there was no trouble, but I am still afraid that something might happen again. We have been threatened to stop singing twice before.”
Livelihood for a Visually Impaired Family
Helal Mia, a resident of Rajghar village in Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila, has been sustaining his family for nearly five decades by performing spiritual songs, including Marfati, Murshidi, and Qawwali, at the public stage. He and his family—which includes his four sons, one daughter, two grandsons, and one granddaughter—are all visually impaired from birth.
Despite their financial hardship, the family proudly earns a living through their music, choosing not to beg. People from various walks of life gather to listen to their morning performance, offering money out of appreciation to support the family’s daily needs.
Conflicting Statements from Authorities
Regarding the threats, Mufti Mobarak Ullah, Principal of Jamia Islamia Yunusia Madrasa and President of District Hefazat-e-Islam, denied any involvement by his students.
“I am not aware of our students obstructing them,” Mufti Mobarak Ullah stated. “We have no restrictions on others, but we cannot grant permission for music, as singing is forbidden in Shariah. They should proceed on their own path, but no one from our side has obstructed them.”
Meanwhile, Md. Obaidur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) for Brahmanbaria, acknowledged the incident but confirmed that law enforcement has not yet received a formal complaint.
“We have not received any official complaint regarding the visually impaired family being stopped from singing. However, we are making inquiries, and appropriate legal action will be taken on the matter,” he assured.
