Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) has strongly condemned the attacks on protest programmes in Khulna and Thakurgaon that were organised to denounce the arrest of baul singer Abul Sarkar.
In a statement, Masud Rana, coordinator of the party’s Central Executive Forum, said people across the country including bauls and sufis are protesting the arrest of baul singer Abul Sarkar. He added that protesting and expressing opinions are fundamental democratic rights of the people.
“However, we are seeing attacks in the name of Tawhidi Janata on these protest programmes in different parts of the country. Disgraceful attacks have been carried out on the programmes of the Democratic Students’ Alliance in Khulna and on bauls in Thakurgaon,” the statement read.
It further said that such attacks are undesirable in post-mass-uprising Bangladesh and are a clear sign of fascism.
The statement alleged that the current interim government, which has declared its stance against the fascist system, is not taking any steps to stop these attacks. This attitude of the government is encouraging the attackers, it added.
The party warned that if such attacks are not resisted, the establishment of a democratic state and society will be hindered. It also demanded the immediate arrest and swift trial of the attackers.
The statement was issued by Seema Dutta, a member of the party’s Central Executive Forum.
