Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) staged a torch procession on Monday night to protest attacks on baul, fakir, and sufi communities and to demand release of baul singer Abul Sarkar.
The march began at Shaheed Minar on the campus around 9pm, moved past the new arts building, and concluded at Bot Tola.
The protesters chanted slogans demanding justice for the attacks on bauls and calling for freedom of speech. They also urged the state to end violence against cultural traditions. After the march, a rally was held.
Faiza Mehjabin, president of Jahangirnagar University Sanskritik Jote, said, “For the past year and a half, we have seen continuous assaults on shrines and baul practitioners. Yet the interim administration does nothing.”
An innocent baul singer was detained on charge of hurting religious sentiments and this is oppression, she alleged.
“His (baul singer Abul Sarkar) followers in Manikganj held a peaceful programme demanding his release. A Jamaat-Shibir mob then attacked them. Police stood there. How did that mob dare to assault unarmed baul devotees? We strongly condemn this aggression,” she said.
Sajib Ahmed Jenich, organiser of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, said that Bangladesh belongs to believers, non-believers, bauls, sufis and all ideological groups. “Everyone holds equal rights as citizens. No belief becomes superior simply because it represents a majority.”
