Stop persecution of fakirs, bauls and dissenters: Information Adviser

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam has called for an end to the persecution of fakirs, bauls and other dissenting communities.

He made the appeal in a post on his verified Facebook account on Sunday, November 23.

In his post, he wrote, “The oppressed are becoming the oppressors, and anti-fascists are behaving like fascists. The situation is one of frustration and anger. Those who are responding to injustice with new layers of injustice and violence will be responsible for the resurgence of fascism. If diversity of thought and practice in society and the state is obstructed, fascism will return, and the July uprising will fail. All forms of persecution against tasawwuf followers, fakirs, bauls and dissenters must stop.”

Earlier on Sunday, three supporters of baul Abul Sarkar were injured in an attack by so-called Tauhidi activists in Dakshin Sewta area of Manikganj municipality. Police and local sources said the Tauhidi group held a protest in Manikganj bus stand area at 10am, demanding Abul Sarkar’s execution on allegations of making derogatory remarks about Allah. After the protest, the group marched towards the Shaheed Memorial in Dakshin Sewta.

At the same time, some supporters of Abul Sarkar were preparing for a human chain at the Press Club premises, demanding his release. As the Tauhidi procession reached the spot, tension escalated between the two groups, leading to an attack in which three baul supporters were injured. One member of the Tauhidi group was also injured.