Dhaka, Bangladesh: As the country approaches its next national election, debates over party manifestos have intensified across multiple platforms. Amidst this political buzz, Hamin Ahmed, a founding member of the iconic Bangladeshi rock band Miles, has raised a striking concern about the absence of cultural policies, particularly in music.
In a widely shared Facebook post, Hamin Ahmed warned that music lovers and artists would withhold their votes unless political parties explicitly presented plans for the promotion of music and culture in Bangladesh. He wrote:
“The national election is just around the corner. Songwriters, performers, and music enthusiasts are asking—what is your cultural and music-focused manifesto for the future of Bangladesh?”
Hamin pointed out that in Bangladesh’s 54-year political history, no party has ever addressed music and culture in their election manifestos. “Every other policy area has been discussed, but music has been completely ignored,” he added, emphasising the critical role of artistic expression in nation-building.
He also urged citizens to use their electoral power to influence political agendas:
“This is not just about talking; it is an extremely important issue. Consider how many millions of people love music—2, 3, 4 crore or even more. Young, middle-aged, and senior citizens all enjoy music. If we demand that political parties declare their plans for culture and music, and vote only for those that do, what do you think will happen? Voting is our power—use it!”
The post has quickly gone viral on social media, receiving wide support from artists, composers, and music fans. Renowned singer Biplob commented, “Absolutely correct,” while Ayesha Mousumi wrote, “Important question; action must be taken now.” The vocal of the band Shironamhin, Sheikh Ishtiaq, shared the post with the remark: “I want to spend my life making music; if not possible here, then elsewhere.”
Other prominent musicians, including John Kabir and Adit Rahman, have also shared the post, amplifying the call for political recognition and support of music. Experts in the cultural sector agree that governmental policies and political backing are essential to protect and improve Bangladesh’s vibrant music industry.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Call for political manifestos on music and culture |
| Initiator | Hamin Ahmed, Miles band member |
| Platform | Facebook post, widely shared on social media |
| Main Concern | Absence of music policy in political party manifestos |
| Public Reaction | Strong support from musicians, composers, and fans |
| Significance | Music is a key cultural asset; citizens urged to vote accordingly |
| Historical Context | 54 years of political history with no music-related manifesto |
Hamin Ahmed’s initiative has ignited a national conversation about cultural policies, highlighting the urgency for political parties to recognise the cultural sector as an integral part of Bangladesh’s democratic and social development.