4 injured in Manikganj clash over Baul Abul Sarkar's arrest; Blast, Sampriti Jatra voice concern
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast) and civil society platform Sampriti Jatra issued a joint statement today, expressing deep concern over the Baul singer’s arrest and calling for the protection of all citizens’ freedom of expression, belief, and religion
At least four people, including three followers of Baul Abul Sarkar Moharaj, were injured today (23 November) after clashes broke out in Manikganj over rival programmes announced by two groups in the wake of the singer's arrest over allegations of hurting religious sentiment.
The incident occurred around 10:45am in the town's Dakkhin Seota area when a group of people, rallying under the banner of "Allama-Olama O Touhidi Janata of Manikganj", confronted Abul's supporters, who had also organised a human chain demanding his release, reports Prothom Alo.
The injured were identified as Abdul Alim, 25; Ariful Islam, 29; Zahirul Islam, 32; and another Abdul Alim, 27.
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The incident and Abul Sarkar's arrest have drawn widespread criticism from various quarters, including netizens who took to social media platforms to demand a proper investigation and justice.
Baul singer Abul Sarkar allegedly made remarks hurting religious sentiment on 4 November during a performance at the Khala Pagli Mela in Jabra area of Ghior upazila, Manikganj. A video of his comments later spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism, reports Prothom Alo.
In response, on the night of 19 November, the Detective Branch (DB) of Manikganj police detained Abul Sarkar from a musical event in Madaripur. He was brought to the district DB office the following morning.
Later that day, Mufti Md Abdullah filed a case with Ghior Police Station, naming Abul Sarkar as the accused. He was then shown arrested in the case and sent to jail through the court.
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast) and civil society platform Sampriti Jatra issued a joint statement today, expressing deep concern over the Baul singer's arrest and calling for the protection of all citizens' freedom of expression, belief, and religion.
According to the statement, Abul — widely known for presenting spiritual and religious themes through Baul and folk music — was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of police on the evening of 19 November while performing before an audience of about 2,000 people in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur. He was taken to Manikganj and handed over to the district police the following morning.
The statement said four individuals lodged a complaint against him at Ghior Police Station in Manikganj, which was later recorded as a first information report (FIR).
When Abul Sarkar was produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court-1 on 20 November, his lawyers and family members were allegedly prevented from entering the courtroom. His wife Aleya Begum met him briefly while he was being taken to jail, during which she claimed his physical and mental state appeared "not good".
The rights groups also noted that a large crowd gathered on the court premises during the hearing, chanting slogans demanding the "maximum punishment" for Abul.
Abul's lawyer has filed a bail petition with the court, which fixed 23 November for the hearing.
Expressing serious concern over the reported denial of legal access, obstruction of family contact in custody, and alleged intimidation in court, Blast and Sampriti Jatra called for the singer's immediate release, an independent investigation into alleged custodial abuse, and assurance of adequate security measures at court.
