Khulna Demonstration for Baul Abul Sarkar’s Release Comes Under Attack

An attack took place at a protest rally of the Democratic Students’ Alliance in Khulna, organized to demand the release of Baul Abul Sarkar and to protest the vandalism of shrines and mazars across the country. Several activists of the left-leaning student organization have reportedly been injured.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Shibbari Mor in the city, said Kabir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Sonadanga Model Police Station of Khulna Metropolitan Police.

Police and eyewitnesses said that in the afternoon, several left-leaning organizations announced a program demanding the release of Baul Abul Sarkar of Maniganj and protesting attacks and obstruction on Bauls and local culture in various places. As per the announcement, leaders and activists of the Democratic Students’ Alliance arrived with banners and began their program.

Meanwhile, at the same place and at the same time, another group of people launched a counter-program under the banner ‘Chhatra-Janata’. They claimed that Baul Abul Sarkar had “made derogatory remarks about Allah.”

After the ‘Chhatra-Janata’ program was announced, people began gathering in small groups at different points of Shibbari Mor. At one stage, they declared that they would resist the Democratic Students’ Alliance activists who were supporting Baul Abul Sarkar.

The attackers chased the student activists, seized their banner, and set it on fire. Some were beaten during the attack. Later, police arrived and brought the situation under control.

Threats were issued that anyone supporting the Bauls would be resisted. Some were heard shouting slogans such as “There will be no place for atheists in Khulna.”

OC Kabir Hossain said that due to tension over two opposing programs at the same place, police had been deployed in advance. Police brought the situation under control.

Regarding the burning of the banner, he said no complaints had been filed. Police have asked all sides to remain calm.

Earlier in the day, a similar attack occurred in Thakurgaon when Bauls gathered to press the same demand.