BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly denounced the recent assaults on baul singers, labeling them as “barbaric acts.” Highlighting the deep-rooted cultural significance of baul songs in Bangladesh, he emphasized that these songs embody the enduring heritage of rural Bengal.
Fakhrul expressed his disapproval of the attacks, attributing them to religious extremists and deeming such violence unjustifiable. He underscored that resorting to aggression and retaliation is inappropriate under any circumstances.
The Secretary General made these comments while speaking to reporters after inaugurating the newly constructed district unit BNP office in Thakurgaon town. The incident occurred just after two baul artists were injured in an assault as they were organizing a human chain protest at the Thakurgaon Judge Court premises. The protest aimed at securing the unconditional release of detained baul singer Abul Sarkar.
Eyewitnesses reported that a group of approximately 40-50 individuals, chanting slogans in the name of “Tawhidi Janata,” carried out the attack around 1:30 pm. The injured artists were identified as Shamsul Chisti from Joypurhat’s Panchbibi and Mokhles Pagla from Thakurgaon’s Sadar upazila, according to Rezwanul Haque Riju, the general secretary of the Thakurgaon district unit of Udichi Shilpigoshthi.
Riju explained that the baul artists had gathered at the court premises to stage a peaceful protest for Abul Sarkar’s release when the assailants disrupted the gathering with a procession and violent assault.
Authorities from Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station confirmed the attack, acknowledging the injuries sustained by two individuals. However, they stated that the identities of both the victims and the attackers were unknown. The police assured that legal action would be taken upon receiving a formal complaint, though no such complaint had been lodged by the time of reporting.
Previously, on November 20, prominent baul singer Abul Sarkar had been arrested in Manikganj on charges of offending religious sentiments and subsequently sent to jail. Following this, on November 23, three artists were also injured in an attack in Manikganj while preparing to demonstrate for Abul Sarkar’s release.
In a separate incident in Faridpur, a group identifying themselves as “Tawhidi Janata” disrupted a rally organized by Banglar Prantik Baul Shilpigoshthi protesting the recent assaults on baul artists and shrines across the country. Despite attempts to halt the rally, the group managed to disrupt the event, leading to its premature conclusion. Local authorities were not immediately available for comment on the incident.