Bangladesh: 258 citizens call for an end to violence linked to ‘blasphemy’ allegations
Dhaka, Nov 25 (LatestNewsX) — A large number of Bangladeshis are demanding that the wave of assaults, lawsuits, arrests and mob attacks that have been sweeping the country—each justified on the pretext of alleged ”blasphemy”—stop at once, local media have reported.
The outcry comes amid growing anger over the arrest of Baul singer Abul Sarkar on charges of hurting religious sentiments, and the violent raid on his followers in Manikganj district.
A joint declaration signed by 258 citizens notes that since the July protests of last year, religious extremism has resurfaced in Bangladesh. The signatories say a particular faction now positions itself as the sole representative of Islam while launching a nationwide crackdown.
According to the statement quoted in the Bengali daily Prothom Alo, “The demolition of more than 200 shrines, declarations branding countless individuals as apostates, infidels, or blasphemers, exhuming corpses and burning them, forcibly cutting the matted hair of bauls and fakirs, harassing women for their mobility or clothing, disrupting performances of music, dance and theatre, and even obstructing sports and fairs. All this suggests that annihilating those who hold different beliefs or lifestyles has become their objective.”
The signatories criticized the Muhammad Yunus‑led interim government for failing to curb these violent incidents, arguing that accusations of ”blasphemy” are consistently used as the main tool behind the attacks.
They added that even after a year and a half, the government’s conduct signals tacit tolerance of religious fascism as a means of consolidating power. This deepens frustration among pro‑democracy citizens, paves the way for a resurgence of former fascist forces, and risks portraying Bangladesh on the global stage as a potential religious‑extremist state.
The group also condemned the arrest of Abul Sarkar and called for his immediate release.
The statement lists signatories that include teachers, writers, researchers, artists, journalists, human‑rights defenders, cultural activists, and Baul followers from across Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has witnessed rising violence against minorities, increasing mob attacks, and indiscriminate arrests of political opponents under the Yunus‑led interim administration—an escalation that has sparked outrage domestically and among many human‑rights organisations worldwide.
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