A group of baul singers and artistes staged a protest in front of National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday, condemning the arrest of renowned baul singer Abul Sarkar and the attack on artistes in Manikganj.
The protest, organised under the banner ‘ Sadhguru Bhakta and Oli-Awliya Ashekan Parishad’, has demanded the immediate release of Abul Sarkar and the arrest of those responsible for attacking his followers.
Eminent columnist and writer Farhad Mazhar joined the demonstration.
He said that a new form of religious fascism has begun to emerge in the country since 5 August. “It started with the vandalism of shrines, and now we are seeing attacks and arrests of bauls and fakirs.
The earlier form of fascism claimed to be secular and nationalist. What we are witnessing now is fascism in the name of religion. Both are enemies of the people,” he added.
Addressing the government, he said, “When you accorded national honour to Lalon Shah, we stood by you and congratulated you. But by arresting Abul Sarkar today, you have tarnished that achievement yourselves.”
Addressing political parties, Farhad Mazhar said, “Whether it is NCP, BNP, or Jamaat, the public will not forgive you if you fail to stand against injustice. Do not expect votes if you side with oppressors.” He also alleged that religious extremists are trying to destabilize the country’s traditions and society.
Farhad Mazhar has called on bauls, sufis, and fakirs to come together, announcing plans to hold mass gathering lasting one to three days at Shaheed Minar or another public venue
After the rally, a five-member delegation went to submit a memorandum to the Home Affairs Adviser following the programme.
Law enforcers arrested Abul Sarkar, president of the Bangladesh Baul Samity, in Madaripur on 20 November in connection with a case filed against him over allegation of hurting religious sentiments.
He was subsequently sent to jail.
On 23 November, as his followers staged a protest, a group of people under the banner of ‘Tawhidi Janata’ allegedly attacked them near the stadium area in Manikganj town, leaving three performers injured.
