Another Case Filed Against Baul Singer Abul Sarkar

A fresh legal case has been filed against the controversial Baul singer Abul Sarkar over allegations of hurting religious sentiments and committing religious defamation. The case was lodged on Monday at the office of Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam in Dhaka by Dr. Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, a professor at the Neurotrauma Surgery Department of the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital.

Following the submission, the court recorded the complainant’s statement and directed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ramna Police Station to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report. The complainant’s lawyer, Solaiman Tushar, confirmed the development to the press.

According to the case documents, Abul Sarkar allegedly made disrespectful and offensive remarks about Allah during a performance at a fair in Manikganj, which reportedly hurt the religious sentiments of the complainant and others present. The allegations have been formally registered under Sections 295 and 295(A) of the Penal Code of 1860, which pertain to religious offences and defamation.

This is not the first time Abul Sarkar has been embroiled in controversy. On the night of 20 November, he was detained by a team of Manikganj Detective Branch police during a musical event in Madaripur. The following day, Mufti Md. Abdullah, the Imam of Ghior Bandar Mosque, filed a separate case against him at Ghior Police Station. Abul Sarkar was subsequently produced before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Manikganj and remanded to prison.

The case has sparked significant public reactions. On 23 November at 9 a.m., supporters and fans of Abul Sarkar held a human chain demonstration in front of the Manikganj Press Club demanding his release. At the same time, a protest rally and assembly were organised in the district town under the banner “Ulama and Tawhidi People of Manikganj District.” During these events, clashes occurred between the singer’s supporters and other groups, leaving four people injured, including three of his supporters.

Several prominent figures have condemned the attacks on his supporters and voiced their concerns over the ongoing controversy surrounding Abul Sarkar. Analysts note that the case highlights the delicate balance between freedom of artistic expression and the respect for religious sentiment in Bangladesh.

Police are expected to complete the investigation, gather statements and evidence, and submit their report to the court. Subsequent hearings will determine whether further legal action will be taken against Abul Sarkar. The incident has once again placed Baul performers under scrutiny, raising broader questions about the boundaries of performance art, religious sensitivity, and public order.