South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, is deeply concerned about the attacks and intimidation against the community of Baul singers and the sluggish attitude by the interim government in addressing the issue.
SAHR has learnt that Mahraj Abul Sarkar, the prominent Baul singer was arrested in Manikganj on 20 November evening without any charge, The next day a local imam of a mosque in Manikganj filed a case against him under section 143 of the Penal Code on charges of hurting religious sentiments after some social media platforms circulated a cut piece video of his singing performance. On 21 November he was sent to jail after his bail was rejected. On 23 November when some members of the Baul community gathered in Manikganj to hold a human chain demanding the release of Abul Sarkar, hundreds of people under the banner ‘Tawhidi Janata’ or monotheistic mass, an Islamist movement affiliated to the radical Islamist groups including Hefazat e Islam attacked them injuring several members of the Baul community
‘Tawhidi Janata’ has been involved in several incidents of violence against women and the minority communities, burning and vandalizing Sufi religious shrines, foiling musical programs, women engaged sports events as well as mob violence taking place in recent times.
Civil society representatives of Bangladesh have denounced through statements while emphasising a surge in religious extremism in the aftermath of the July 2024 mass uprising and have noted that the Interim Government has failed to contain this religious extremist group and has not brought the perpetrators before justice.
SAHR reiterates the call of the civil society representatives of Bangladesh and strongly urges the Interim government to immediately take action against the perpetrators through an impartial and transparent investigation. It is imperative that the law and order is duly and responsibly exercised against those groups who resort to violence and ensure the security of those who resist these violent groups as well. As the state party to the international covenants, the state through the current government is solely obliged to adhere to ensure the rights of the minorities and maintain peace and harmony among the ethnicities as enshrined in the constitution.
On behalf of the members of the South Asians for Human Rights
Dr. P. Saravanamuttu
Bureau Member
Sushil Pyakurel
Bureau Member