'Bauler Droh' held at JU protesting Baul artist Abul Sarkar's arrest, attacks on Bauls

A musical event titled "Bauler Droh" was held at Jahangirnagar University (JU) yesterday (30 November), condemning the arrest of Baul artist Abul Sarkar and the recent attacks on Baul artistes across the country.

The programme began at 5pm at the university's Transport Yard, featuring a traditional "Bichar Gaan" session as its main attraction. Renowned Baul artistes Lata Dewan and Nayan Dewan engaged in the customary musical debate marked by counter-arguments and melodic exchanges.

Several artistes expressed solidarity through performances, including Boga Taleb, Akash Gayen, Shah Muhammad Shipon, Kamal Krishna Das, Abul Kalam Hawlader, Abhibadan Das, Abhishek Ray Archon, Md Imran Hossain, Abdur Razzak Bhandari, Joyita Arpa, Rahman Jony, Mahabub Khalashi, and Nabin Kishore Goswami.

Nabin Kishore Goswami, one of the organisers, said, "We have organised this protest musical session under the banner of 'Bauler Droh'. As university students, we feel a responsibility toward the country. Given the current instability and unrest, we arranged this protest event."

He added that the programme was dedicated to demanding the release of Baul Abul Sarkar and protesting the threats and hostile slogans chanted during human chains and peaceful programmes in support of him.

Nabin further said, "We have always expressed our protest through music and will continue to do so. Bangladesh is a secular state where people of diverse communities, religions, and ethnicities live. Everyone should be able to practise their culture and traditions freely."

Speaking at the event, Hasan Naeem, teacher at the Department of Comparative Literature, said, "Whenever we witness repression or persecution of minority communities or differing views, in Bangladesh or elsewhere, our students respond, and that has led to today's programme."

He noted that Abul Sarkar was blamed for a fragment of a "Pala Gaan" and was placed under accusations of blasphemy. That clipped part was spread across the country through "information terrorism", he added.

Explaining the tradition, he said "Pala gaan", "Bichar gaan", "Mahajani gaan", and "Kobi gaan" have been part of Bangla culture for centuries.