In Bangladesh, a well-known Baul singer named Maharaj Abul Sarkar, often called “Maharaj” by his fans, was arrested on charges of hurting Islamic religious sentiments. This has sparked widespread protests, violent attacks on his supporters, and strong warnings from civil society about a growing wave of religious fascism in the country. The case highlights tensions between traditional mystic folk music and hardline religious groups, especially after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in July 2024. Sarkar’s arrest has drawn attention to attacks on cultural freedoms, with over 250 prominent citizens signing a statement against it.
Background on Abul Sarkar and Baul Singers
Abul Sarkar is a renowned Bangladeshi Baul singer, part of a mystic minstrel tradition from Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal region. Bauls use music and poetry to explore spiritual themes, blending influences from Hindu Vaishnavism and Islamic Sufism. They focus on finding the divine within and promote a syncretic, liberal worldview. This tradition, exemplified by historical figures like Lalan Shah, has existed in the region for centuries, long before modern puritan movements. Bauls are known for their unconventional lifestyles and have faced repression under various governments, including attacks on their performances, hair-cutting incidents, and destruction of instruments.
The Incident Leading to the Arrest
The controversy began during a musical performance by Abul Sarkar in Ghior upazila, Manikganj district, on November 4, 2025. According to the complaint, Sarkar made remarks while singing that were seen as religiously misleading, insulting Islamic beliefs, and intended to incite riots or violence. The case was filed by Mufti Md Abdullah, the imam of Ghior Bandar Mosque, along with four others, at Ghior Police Station. The exact words or song lyrics involved were not detailed in reports, but the allegations centered on “hurting religious sentiments.”
The Arrest and Court Proceedings
Sarkar was arrested on November 20, 2025, during a music show in Madaripur district by the Detective Branch of the police. No specific time was mentioned for the arrest. Later that afternoon, he was taken to Manikganj Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, where the judge ordered him sent to jail. The case is still under investigation, with police confirming the allegations of misleading religious remarks. Sarkar remains in custody, and no bail hearing details have been reported yet.
Violent Attacks on Supporters
Two days after the arrest, on November 22, 2025, Islamist mobs under the banner of Tawhidi Janata (meaning “people following islam”) attacked Sarkar’s fellow singers and supporters during a street rally for his release on the northern outskirts of Dhaka. At least four people were seriously injured in the assault, which involved violence against those preparing a human chain in Manikganj district. No exact time was specified for this attack. Similar groups have been linked to demolishing over 200 Sufi shrines, declaring people as “murtad-kafir-shatim” (apostates or infidels), exhuming and burning bodies, forcibly cutting Bauls’ hair, harassing women over dress and movement, and disrupting cultural events like music, dance, theater, sports, and fairs since Hasina’s ouster. Reports from social media also highlighted at least three artistes injured while forming a human chain in Manikganj.
Public Reactions and Protests
The arrest and attacks have triggered strong backlash. On November 23, 2025, supporters were attacked in Manikganj, and on November 24, 2025, Baul singers and artistes held a demonstration in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to protest the arrest and violence. Left-leaning student groups and cultural activists organized torch marches in Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University on the evening of November 23, 2025.
On November 25, 2025, at least 250 distinguished citizens, including academics like Professor Anu Mohammad and Prof Salimullah Khan, signed a statement condemning the arrest and attacks. They warned that religious extremism has surged since the July 2024 uprising, creating a “suffocating situation” where one group acts as the “sole agent” of Islam, purging differing views. Poet and activist Farhad Mazhar, during a protest rally, said, “Arresting him (Sarkar) means arresting me. I will not accept this,” and warned of emerging “religious fascism.” Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra expressed deep concerns over the attacks, while Transparency International’s Bangladesh chapter noted a rise in hostility toward religious harmony. Social media users, including lawyers and journalists, called for scrapping blasphemy laws and protecting minorities.
Government Response
The interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has faced criticism for inaction. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki posted on Facebook that the Ministry of Home Affairs is handling the “extremely delicate and sensitive matter” responsibly, noting similar repressions under past regimes. Yunus’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, called the attack “deplorable” and said authorities are identifying those involved. However, lawyer Sara Hossain told a newspaper that the government should act against violent groups, questioning why such cases are easily accepted. Media outlets like The Business Standard criticized the response as “condemnation without action,” allowing attackers to operate with impunity.
Broader Context
Since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024, Tawhidi Janata mobs have disrupted cultural events, attacked minorities (especially Hindus), and targeted Sufi practices. Critics argue the interim government is encouraging vigilantism through silence and detaining victims in fabricated cases. The case demands Sarkar’s immediate release and an end to blasphemy-linked violence to protect freedom of expression. This incident reflects a worrying trend of hostility toward religious harmony and cultural diversity in Bangladesh.
Leave a Reply