Violence Against Baul Singers in Bangladesh Escalates

In Bangladesh, the baul singers—known for their spiritual music and poetic expressions—are facing increasing violence. On Wednesday afternoon, a radical Islamist group assaulted several baul performers near the Thakurgaon district court, leaving at least three individuals injured. The attackers are reportedly associated with Tawhidi Janata, an extremist faction.

Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, bauls create music that combines elements of Hindu and Sufi teachings, using instruments such as the Ektara and khol drums to convey deep spiritual messages focused on personal enlightenment.

This wave of violence has intensified following the controversial arrest of baul artist Abul Sarkar on blasphemy charges, which has triggered widespread protests from artists, students, and civil society advocating against the rising tide of religious extremism under interim leader Muhammad Yunus.

While Muhammad Yunus has not directly addressed these violent incidents, his press secretary condemned the attacks, calling them “deplorable,” and stated that investigations are underway. Critics argue that the current administration has allowed extremist groups to flourish, particularly following the release of formerly jailed extremists.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has denounced these assaults as “shameful acts,” with Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stressing the importance of baul music in the cultural landscape of Bangladesh and asserting that such targeting cannot be tolerated.

The growing pattern of attacks on cultural expressions, alongside disruptions of major events and attacks on moderate Sufi sites, mirrors an alarming rise in communal tensions since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.