Minorities Targeted Again in Bangladesh: Islamist Group ‘Tawhidi’ Attacks Baul Supporters

Dhaka: Bangladesh continues to witness unrest as attacks on religious minorities escalate. In a recent incident, supporters of Baul leader Abul Sarkar were targeted by the Islamist group Tawhidi Jubo Shomaj during a protest rally and human chain demanding the leader’s release and condemning attacks on religious sites.

According to reports from Dhaka Tribune, Baul supporters organized rallies in Manikganj and Thakurgaon to protest recent violence and call for Abul Sarkar’s release. Sarkar was recently arrested over allegations of hurting religious sentiments during a performance.

The clashes escalated near the court campus in Thakurgaon when members of Tawhidi Jubo Shomaj tried to block the Baul supporters, resulting in violent skirmishes and minor injuries. Baul supporter Sohel Rana told Dhaka Tribune that the group was using violence in the name of Tawhidi Jubo Shomaj.

Tawhidi Jubo Shomaj has been repeatedly involved in attacks against minority communities and has disrupted Durga Puja celebrations in recent years. The interim government of Bangladesh has assured arrests of those responsible for the attacks in Manikganj and Thakurgaon.
The group is part of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, which has a history of opposing India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits and is reportedly linked to Jamaat-e-Islami. The latter is considered Pakistan-supported and has a long record of targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh.

As communal tensions rise, authorities face mounting pressure to ensure safety for all religious communities and curb extremist activities.