The recent hearing of the Abul Sarkar case in a Dhaka court has sparked nationwide concern after a video showed several individuals—some allegedly dressed as lawyers—chanting violent slogans such as “catch every Baul and slaughter,” “demand execution,” and “break the shelter.” The footage has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, cultural workers, and legal professionals who say such language inside a court—one of the country’s highest symbols of justice—deeply undermines public trust in the judiciary.
The appearance of people in lawyer’s attire caused particular alarm. Senior lawyers noted that anyone sworn to uphold the law endorsing violence is a direct breach of professional ethics. Legal experts warned that mobilising religious sentiment to influence a case sends a dangerous message that justice can be shaped through intimidation rather than due process. Analysts reminded that even when religious sentiments are hurt, the Penal Code outlines legal remedies—extrajudicial threats have no place in a democratic society.
Cultural figures highlighted that Bauls are an essential part of Bengal’s cultural heritage, carrying centuries of folk music, humanistic philosophy, and rural storytelling. Targeting them, they said, is not just an attack on individuals but on Bangladesh’s cultural identity. Raising violent slogans against artists only fuels intolerance and weakens the creative fabric of society.
Security analysts linked the incident to a growing trend of extremism, warning that such rhetoric echoes past political tensions where fascistic language became commonplace. They noted that some religious political groups continue to exploit youth through misinterpretations of faith, leading to attacks on shrines, Bauls, and those with differing beliefs.
Human rights activists stressed that the incident reflects a wider climate of rising intolerance. Their message remains clear: justice must come through the courts—not through mobs, threats, or violence shouted in the name of religion.
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