Students, activists hold separate torch processions at DU, JU demanding release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar
Protesters also criticised the interim government alleging inaction
Students and cultural activists held separate torch processions in Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University today (24 November), protesting the recent attack on Baul singers in Manikganj, demanding justice for the victims and the immediate release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar.
In the capital, the demonstration was organised by the left-leaning student alliance, Ganotantrik Chhatra Jote. The procession began in the evening from the Dhaka University TSC area, moved through the campus and Shahbagh, and ended at the Raju Sculpture.
Participants chanted slogans such as, "Try the criminal terrorists," "Why was Abul Sarkar arrested? We want an interim explanation," and "Why the attack on the Bauls? Yunus must answer." ("Jongibadi sontrashider bichar koro," "Abul Sarkar greftar keno, interim jobab chai," and "Baulder upor hamla keno, Yunus jobab chai.")
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Protesters also criticised the interim government, shouting slogans like, "Wow Yunus, excellent — guardian of the terrorists". ("Bah Yunus chomotkar, shontrashider paharadar")
Addressing the gathering, musician Shayan blamed the interim government for failing to ensure public safety. "The government has failed to protect its citizens. Instead of curbing hate preachers, it is nurturing them," the singer said.
"People of this country will not tolerate any attack on the rights of Bauls, the right to sing, listen, pray, or practise their faith."
Hema Chakma, member of the Ducsu executive committee, said the aspirations of the 2024 uprising were being undermined.
"We have seen that after the mass uprising, a single group is trying to control everything," she said. "When indigenous people protest, they are attacked. When artists take to the streets to sing, they are attacked."
"No discrimination can continue after the 2024 uprising. People of every religion, community, and identity must have the right to speak," she added.
Torch procession at JU
Meanwhile, at Jahangirnagar University, a group of students brought out a torch procession demanding the release of Abul Sarkar and protesting nationwide attacks on Bauls, Fakirs, and Sufis.
The procession started at 8pm from the university's Central Shaheed Minar, moved past the New Arts Building, and concluded at Bot-tola.
Students were seen chanting slogans such as "Hamla mamla huliya nite hobe tulia" and "Rastro tumi day nao, Bauler upor hamla thamaw."
Faiza Mehzabin, president of the university's cultural alliance, said, "An innocent person has been arrested on accusations of hurting religious sentiment. When Bauls united to demand his release, attacks and aggression were carried out against them."
"How can they say 'catch the Bauls one by one and slaughter them,' and even in the presence of police, physically assault the Bauls?" she asked.
"We strongly condemn such aggressive behaviour, and that is why we organised today's torch procession," she added.
Sajib Ahmed Jenich, an organiser of the Socialist Students' Front, said, "From Abul Sarkar's four-hour pala performance, a selectively edited four-minute clip was circulated on social media, and based on that, he was arrested. This is a clear attempt to demonise him and portray him as a perpetrator."
"In this country, Bauls, Sufis, Fakirs, theists, atheists—people of all schools of belief—have equal rights as citizens. Their right to express their views and practise their philosophies is no less than anyone else's," he added.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is not governed by religious law but by democratic principles, he said, "Therefore, the student community of Jahangirnagar University demands the immediate release of Abul Sarkar and justice for the attack on his followers in Manikganj.
Baul singer Abul Sarkar Moharaj — widely known for presenting spiritual and religious themes through Baul and folk music — 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.
