Never faced such situation before: Baul Shafi Mondol

Police have been deployed at the residence of popular Baul artist Shafi Mondol in Kushtia's Daulatpur upazila following the attack, vandalism, arson and killing of Pir Shamim Reza Jahangir, the head of the Darbar Sharif.

Security has been posted at his Akhra residence in the Hosenabad area, it has been learned.

Reacting to the matter, Shafi Mondol said he is currently in Dhaka and does not know the full details of the situation.

"I do not know the matter fully because I am in Dhaka," he said.

Regarding police deployment at his home, he said, "I perform at various darbars across the country. I had visited that darbar once a year and a half ago. A photo taken there was later circulated on social media. After that, various things were spread centring that photo."

He further said that some social media posts spread fears of an attack on his home. Considering the security situation, the government then deployed police at his Akhra.

Expressing gratitude to the government, he said his ancestral home had already been lost to river erosion. He later built the Akhra in Hosenabad, which is still under construction.

While not fearful for his own security, he said, "I have never faced such a situation before. I have no enmity with anyone, nor do I have any complaint against anyone."

Condemning the attack, he said any allegations should be resolved legally; such violence is not acceptable.

It is to be noted that on Saturday, following allegations of religious defamation, the Darbar Sharif was attacked, vandalised and set on fire. Pir Shamim was killed in the incident.