Radical Islamic group Towhidi Janata attacks minorities in Bangladesh, targets Baul supporters

New Delhi: Cases of violence against religious minorities continue to rise in Bangladesh. In the latest incident, people demanding the release of Baul Sarkar were attacked. An Islamic group called Towhidi Janata attacked Baul supporters. This group has been implicated in repeated attacks on members of the religious minority community in recent months. It was also involved in the January demolition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statue.

Arrest of Abul Sarkar

According to a report in the Dhaka Tribune, Baul supporters had called a protest rally in Manikganj and Thakurgaon to protest the recent attacks and demand the release of Baul leader Abul Sarkar. Singer Abul Sarkar was recently arrested for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during a performance.

The Baul are a group of mystic minstrels of mixed elements of Sufism and Vaishnava Sahajiya from different parts of Bangladesh and the India(BHARAT)n states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam’s Barak Valley and Meghalaya. Bauls constitute both a syncretic religious sect of troubadours and a musical tradition. They are a very heterogeneous group, with many sects, but their membership mainly consists of Gaudiya Vaishnava Bengali Hindus and Sufi Bengali Muslims.

Towhidi Janata group blamed

As Baul supporters approached the court campus in Thakurgaon on Wednesday, November 26, members of the radical Islamist group Towhidi Janata attempted to stop them. During this time, members of the Towhidi Janata also resorted to violence. Several people were reported to have sustained minor injuries in the violence. Baul supporter Sohel Rana told the Dhaka Tribune that the violence was being carried out in the name of the Towhidi Janata.

Towhidi Janata has been involved in numerous attacks against the minority community. The group has repeatedly disrupted Durga Puja celebrations and has also been involved in violent clashes with police. Bangladesh’s interim government has assured the arrest of those who attacked Baul supporters in Manikganj and Thakurgaon.

Part of Jamaat-e-Islami

The Towhidi Janata group is part of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, another Islamist group. It opposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in 2021. Bangladesh’s Awami League government stated last year that Hefazat Bangladesh is a front for Jamaat-e-Islami. The Jamaat is considered pro-Pakistan in Bangladesh. It has been against religious minorities.