A group of people under the banner of ‘Tauhidi Janata’ has demanded that a boat race on the Sonai River in Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet be cancelled. Alongside posting about the issue on Facebook, they have also held a meeting to press their demand.

According to local residents, a boat race has long been held in Lauta union at the initiative of young people from Lauta and Bahadurpur villages. An annual boat race has been organised this year as well, and the competition is scheduled to take place on 28 August.

Soon after the boat race was announced this year, some people began campaigning on Facebook for a week under the banner of ‘Lauta union Tauhidi Janata’, demanding that the competition be cancelled. They also held a meeting at the local Barigram Bazar Mosque last Thursday under the same banner and made the same demand.

A local resident said people from nearby areas, as well as local residents, come to watch the boat race every year. The event creates a festive atmosphere in the area. No one had objected to such an event in the past, but the organisers are facing opposition this year for the first time.

Lauta union Parishad Chairman Md Delwar Hossain said, “The UNO has asked both sides to come to his office at 5:00pm today, Saturday. I am looking into the concerns of both sides. I am sure the matter will be resolved through discussions.”