Highlights
- Rashed Khan demands tough punishment, not release
- He says Abul Sarkar made offensive remarks about religion
- Case filed in Manikganj after public outrage
- Baul Singer Abul Sarkar arrested and sent to jail, investigation ongoing
Rashed Khan Opposes the Release of Abul Sarkar
Gana Adhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan has demanded strict punishment for Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who is facing a case for allegedly making offensive remarks about Islam and Allah.
In a verified Facebook post on Tuesday, Rashed Khan wrote:
“বাউল আবুল সরকারের মুক্তি নয়, কঠোর শাস্তি চাই। এই বাউলের বক্তব্য একটু আগে শুনলাম। সে সমাজে বিশৃঙ্খলা সৃষ্টি করতে এই ধরনের কটূক্তি করেছে। আপনি শিল্পী, আপনার শিল্পচর্চায় কেউ বাধা দিবে না। কিন্তু আপনি আল্লাহ ও ধর্ম নিয়ে কটূক্তি করতে পারেন না। এমনকি হিন্দু ধর্ম ও হিন্দুধর্মাবলম্বীদের নিয়েও কটূক্তি করার অধিকার কারো নাই। সবাই স্বাধীনভাবে এই দেশে ধর্মপালনের অধিকার পাবে, কিন্তু ধর্ম নিয়ে কটূক্তির অধিকার কারো নাই।”
Translation: “No release for Baul Abul Sarkar, we want strict punishment. I just heard his speech. He made such offensive remarks to create chaos in society. You are an artist, no one will stop your art. But you cannot insult Allah or any religion. You also have no right to insult Hinduism or its followers. Everyone has the right to practice their religion freely, but no one has the right to make offensive remarks about religion.”
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He Says the Remarks Hurt Religious Sentiments
In the same post, Rashed Khan added:
“বাউল আবুল সরকারের মুক্তি চাচ্ছেন, তারা আগে বাউল আবুল সরকারের বক্তব্য শুনুন। সে সমগ্র মুসলমানদের ধর্মীয় অনুভূতিতে আঘাত করেছে, বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রদায়িক সম্প্রীতি নষ্টের চেষ্টা করেছে।”
Translation: “Those who want the release of Baul Abul Sarkar should first listen to what he said. He hurt the religious feelings of all Muslims and tried to damage communal harmony in Bangladesh.”
He also wrote:
“বাংলাদেশের আইন অনুযায়ী তার যথাযোগ্য শাস্তি হলে পরবর্তীতে কেউ আর এমন কটূক্তি করবেনা। আমরা সমাজে শান্তি চাই। ধর্ম নিয়ে বিতর্ক এবং বিভাজন চাইনা।”
Translation: “If he receives proper punishment under Bangladesh law, no one will dare to speak like this again. We want peace in society. We do not want conflict or division over religion.”
What Happened in Manikganj
On 4 October, during a music event in Ghior, Manikganj, Baul Singer Abul Sarkar allegedly made controversial comments about Islam and Allah.
The remarks spread on social media, leading to widespread criticism and demands for his arrest.
Following the public pressure, DB police arrested him in Madaripur and took him to Manikganj.
Case Filed and Protest in Court Area
A case was filed the next morning by Mufti Md Abdullah, Imam of Ghior Bandar Mosque.
From early that day, several Islamic groups held protests and gatherings outside Manikganj court, demanding strict action.
Protesters claimed that Abul Sarkar regularly misquoted Quranic verses, gave wrong explanations, and misguided followers by calling himself a “pir”.
Singer Sent to Jail; Investigation Continues
Later that afternoon, he was produced before the Manikganj Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. The judge ordered him to be sent to jail.
Ghior Police Station OC Md Kohinur Islam said the case alleges that the singer made misleading remarks about religion while performing.
Rashed Khan confirmed the investigation is currently ongoing.
