A Baul singer has been arrested in Manikganj on charges of hurting religious sentiments. District Detective Branch (DB) police detained Abul Sarkar, popularly known as Chhoto Abul, early Thursday from a music event in Madaripur.
Abul Sarkar, a resident of Tilli Union in Saturia upazila, is locally known for performing Baul songs.
When he was brought before the Manikganj court in the afternoon, worshippers formed a human chain and held a protest march on the court premises. They accused him of mispronouncing verses from the Quran, providing incorrect interpretations and misleading devotees by identifying himself as a pir, and they demanded the highest punishment.
Police said a case had been filed against him at Ghior Police Station on charges of hurting religious sentiments.
Ghior Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kohinur Mia said, “A man named Abdullah filed the case, and Abul Sarkar was produced before the court in the afternoon after being shown arrested in the case. The court has ordered him to be sent to jail.”
Manikganj Additional Superintendent of Police (DB) Abdullah Al Mamun said Abul Sarkar was questioned at the DB office but failed to provide proper explanations for his remarks.
Local residents said the singer made derogatory comments about Islam and God’s creation at a music event in Ghior upazila on 4 November.
The Baul singer had allegedly recited a verse from the Quran, provided an incorrect Bangla explanation, and criticised “God’s creations”, which angered the worshippers present, later spreading on social media.
