New form of 'religious fascism' emerging: Farhad Mazhar in protest against Baul Abul Sarkar's arrest
Farhad Mazhar equated the arrest of Abul Sarkar with an attack on himself as well
Protesting the arrest of Baul singer Abul Sarkar Moharaj, prominent thinker and poet Farhad Mazhar has said a new form of religious fascism is taking shape in the country.
"We are now witnessing another kind of religious nationalism. This is religious fascism. Its journey began after 5 August through the desecration of mazars," he said today (24 November) at a protest rally in front of the National Press Club.
The event was organised by Sadhu Gurubhakt O Oli-Auliya Ashekan Parishad, demanding the release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar Moharaj
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Farhad Mazhar said, "Earlier, we saw a different kind of fascist force and a fascist state structure under its leadership. They claimed to be secular and nationalist."
The mass uprising delivered a clear message about upholding individual rights, dignity, and freedom of expression—all of which, he alleged, have been increasingly violated since 5 August.
Detectives detained Abul Sarkar on 19 November from a musical event in Ghior upazila of Manikganj on allegations of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah. He was later sent to jail following a court order.
Farhad Mazhar also equated the arrest of Abul Sarkar with an attack on himself.
"Abul Sarkar has been with us from the very beginning of every movement. There is no protest where he hasn't stood beside me. Arresting him means arresting me, I will not accept this," he said.
He further claimed that he and others had received death threats, along with smear campaigns targeting him.
Urging the government to fulfil the promises made after the mass uprising, he stressed the need to ensure personal dignity, rights, freedom of speech, and cultural freedoms.
"What has happened to Abul Sarkar is unacceptable," he said.
Speakers at the programme described the case filed against the Baul singer as "false" and demanded it be withdrawn immediately. They also called for justice for recent attacks on Baul singers.
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.
Tension escalated in the town yesterday (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.
