Bauls Attacked in Thakurgaon Court Premises, Four Injured

Another incident of assault on several Bauls and their followers occurred in the Thakurgaon court premises. At least four people were injured. The incident took place around 2 p.m. on Wednesday (26 November) in the Thakurgaon court area.

According to several eyewitnesses, Baul practitioners and followers had called a gathering at noon demanding the release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar—who was arrested in a case filed in Manikganj on allegations of hurting religious sentiments—and the arrest of those involved in the earlier assault on his followers. Two eyewitnesses said that a group of people under the banner of “Tawhidi Janata” attacked them, disrupting the assembly. Four people were injured in the attack: Md. Mokles, Alamin Hossain, Babul Baula, and Sanowar Hossain.

Local sources, police, and eyewitnesses said that Baul practitioners and followers called for a protest assembly at around 2:30 p.m. demanding the release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar and protesting the earlier attack on Bauls. Followers from different upazilas of the district were gathering in the court premises. Opposite them stood a group of people under the banner of “Tawhidi Janata.” They then launched an attack on the Bauls. Some Bauls took shelter inside the lawyers’ association building, but attackers reportedly attempted to enter the building with sticks. They were heard chanting slogans such as “Naraye Takbeer” and “Allahu Akbar.”

Sohel Rana, a Baul follower from Thakurgaon, said, “We believe in freedom of expression. Even during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), many uttered offensive words and conspired against him. Hatred was spread against Islam. But did Muslims kill them for that? Did they attack or destroy anyone’s home? Then why this anarchy today in the name of Tawhidi Janata?”

When asked about the incident, Al Amin, a participant under the banner of “Tawhidi Janata,” said, “They will speak against Allah and expect Tawhidi Janata not to react—what kind of civility is that? I have seen many so-called civil people who are trying to destroy Islam. They will not be given any more opportunity.”

Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saroware Alam Khan said, “The Baul practitioners had a scheduled programme at Chourasta where police were already deployed. However, a separate assault occurred when a few Bauls were present inside the court premises. Police quickly brought the situation under control. Legal action will be taken if complaints are filed. So far, no party has lodged a complaint.”

Earlier, on 23 November, an attack took place on followers of Baul singer Abul Sarkar in Manikganj after his arrest in a case filed over allegations of hurting religious sentiments. Four people, including three of his followers, were injured. The incident occurred amid counter-programmes between a group under the banner of “Ulema and Tawhidi Janata of Manikganj District” and the followers of Abul Sarkar.