Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) condemned the arrest of Baul artiste Abul Sarkar in Manikganj and the mob attack on his supporters, calling them alarming signs of rising intolerance and threats to religious, social, and cultural diversity.
TIB criticized the swift arrest for “hurting religious sentiments” while law enforcement did nothing during the daytime attack, noting the government’s silence undermines human rights, the rule of law, and freedoms of expression and assembly.
Such information was revealed through a press release issued on Monday.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said that this incident should not be considered an isolated occurrence.
“We can reasonably suspect that the event is part of an organized plan. Pressure on the country’s cultural diversity, folk heritage, spiritual practices, and minority beliefs has surfaced repeatedly. Alarmingly, this trend has sharply increased since the fall of the authoritarian government last year. Groups pushing aggressive, religion-based agendas at the local level are successfully carrying out a radical plan to eliminate different religions, opposing groups, various cultures, folk traditions, and spiritual beliefs,” he added.
Attacks on shrines, exhumation and burning of the remains of revered spiritual figures, shutdown of Baul gatherings, seizure of musical instruments, cancellation of village fairs and plays, and public humiliation of dissenters have become routine. The government remained a silent observer while religiously bigoted, extremist, and indecent activities occurred, particularly in relation to the report of the Women Reform Commission issues, Dr Iftekharuzzaman further added.
The issue of why remains unaddressed. Similarly, there is no clarification regarding the cancellation of the decision to recruit music and physical education teachers in government primary schools, which seems to be a reaction to the intense pressure from religious hardliners, he added.
“Evidence suggests that a particular group is exploiting the government’s silence and lax law enforcement as a form of state patronage. In this situation, we call for the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of those who attacked the Bauls as proof of the state’s commitment to its constitutional obligations,” he said.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman further said that freedom of thought and conscience, freedom of expression, diverse folk cultural practices, peaceful assembly, and freedom of religion are being trampled under multifaceted pressure. Videos circulating on social media show police visibly indifferent and merely observing the attack, which exacerbated the situation.
Law enforcement’s reluctance to act against the attackers and the government’s silence risk being interpreted as an informal approval of group-based violence. As a result, artists are going into hiding, many involved in folk and shrine-based cultural traditions are being forced to curtail their activities, and diverse folk cultural practices are now facing a culture of fear, the TIB executive director said.
Regarding their freedom to participate in cultural practices in educational institutions, both teachers and students are unsure. The constitutional obligation of the state to protect religious diversity, cultural freedom, and citizen rights is now effectively under challenge. The misuse of laws under the pretext of “hurting religious sentiments” was a hallmark of authoritarian rule, he said.
Its continuation in the “New Bangladesh” is deeply concerning. The government has consistently failed to take a transparent stance against such extremist activities. Consequently, religious fanaticism is intensifying, while peaceful religious observance, social harmony, and individual freedoms are gradually diminishing, and extremism is being permitted to become institutionalized due to governmental complacency, he further added.
The issues being discussed include not only the attack on Bauls in Manikganj but also recent hate-driven declarations against the Ahmadiyya community, as well as the alignment of mainstream politics with such rhetoric, intimidation rallies, and incitement of religious hostility.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: “When the state’s swiftest action is directed at an artiste, and there is no trace of action against open violence, what message does the state really send? Is the state fearful, helpless, or deliberately appeasing those attacking cultural and religious diversity?”
He clarified saying: “Asking this question is reasonable. Due to the state’s persistent inaction in the face of intolerance, hatred, and attacks against differing opinions, cultures, or beliefs, these practices are steadily turning into social realities. At the same time, the promises of New Bangladesh and ensuring human rights, minority protection, and cultural freedom are continuously trampled, despite being born out of a blood-stained struggle against discrimination.”
He added: “We reiterate the interim government to take a clear stance and definitive action against mob violence, religious incitement, and the suppression of differing views, cultures, or religious beliefs.”
If the government turns a blind eye to these looming threats, where religious coexistence, communal harmony, cultural tolerance, and civil liberties go up in smoke, it will dash the hopes for a “New Bangladesh” and pave the way for the return of authoritarianism, TIB cautioned.
