London, June 16 (ANI): An Bengali violinist has sued a UK council for 300,000 pounds after he was named on an official festival programme brochure with a word meaning 'pubic hair'.
International artist Abdul Shahid said he has been subjected to 'immense ridicule' after his first name was written in Bengali as 'bal'.
More than 85,000 copies of the programme were circulated by Tower Hamlets ouncil for the annual Baishakhi Mela Festival in London's East End last year, in which the programme featured a picture of the musician playing the violin with his name given as 'Bal Shahid'.
A father-of-four, Shahid, 43, claims he has been subject to 'immense ridicule, taunting and humiliation' which rendered him unable to work.
"My name has been destroyed, it's a disaster. Everybody in this community knows me. When I go outside everyone who knows me and my family are like "woo, woo, woo", making fun of me. They say "Bal, Bal" and I am ashamed," the Daily Mail quoted Shahid, as saying.
Prior to the misprint, Shahid had performed across the world, including nine times in America, and was a regular on Bengali TV channels. He said he now stays indoors over fear of humiliation.
"I have lost my livelihood. I was a very popular player, but since this has happened, I haven't been out of the house much at all. I only feel comfortable going out at night," he said.
Immediately after printing the brochure, the mistake was flagged by Bengali speakers within the council, and Shahid had an urgent meeting with council chiefs.
However, Shahid says the council failed to take necessary action.
"I have asked the council to write a letter of apology, but they didn't do anything," he said.
A spokeswoman for Tower Hamlets council said a claim has been issued against the council "which it is in the process of defending" and insisted that Bonfield 'never met' Shahid. (ANI)
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