On Friday, a prominent international human rights organization fired a sharp rebuke at the “unlawful arrest” of Baul artist Abul Sarkar in Bangladesh, calling the accusations of “religious defamation” against him “fabricated and baseless.”
In a joint statement, Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) condemned the violent onslaught perpetrated by the Islamist extremist faction known as “Touhidi Janata” on a peaceful human chain that gathered in Manikganj district Sunday, and demanded that Sarkar be released without conditions.
According to local media reports and firsthand accounts, JMBF noted that during the Islamist assault, three admirers of Baul music—Abdul Alim, Johurul, and Ariful Islam—suffered serious injuries.
“The fact that the attackers could carry out such violence almost without consequence, even with law‑enforcement present, points to a serious failure on the part of the state to protect cultural activists and those who are committed to peace,” the rights body said, adding that the situation is profoundly unsettling.
JMBF recounted that on the night of November 19, the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police seized Sarkar at a music event in Bangladesh’s Madaripur district. The organization alleged that the charges leveled against him stem from a “distorted, misleading, and intentionally edited video” that spread on social media.
Eyewitnesses and fellow artists, according to JMBF, further confirmed that the video wholly misrepresented Sarkar’s original remarks.
Expressing earnest concern, JMBF pointed out that despite this, he was detained on “hurting religious sentiments” charges, underscoring a troubling trend of abusing the law against artists, human‑rights defenders, and free‑thinkers in Bangladesh.
“The silence of the current interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus has empowered Islamist fundamentalist groups throughout Bangladesh, leading to repeated attacks, lawsuits, and persecution targeting the arts, literature, cultural activists, shrines, and heritage sites,” said Shahanur Islam, JMBF’s Founder‑President and renowned human‑rights lawyer. “What is even more distressing is the continued silence of the international community, fully aware of these developments. That indifference is unacceptable. We therefore urgently call on the global community to act swiftly to halt these human‑rights violations.”
JMBF has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Sarkar and for the dismissal of the case filed against him.
The organization also urges ongoing international monitoring to prevent and counter the misuse of “religious defamation” or “hurting religious sentiments” laws in Bangladesh, and to guarantee the safety and protection of cultural activists, minority groups, artists, and participants in peaceful demonstrations.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
