Entertainment Report :
On June 26, some people vandalised the house of China Begum, a follower of Lalon, and caused damage of lakhs of taka. She was even threatened with death. In this context, half a hundred singers, actors, literary and cultural activists of the country have made a statement demanding the end of torture and protection of the Baul
artistes of Bangladesh.
Referring to the incident of China Begum in the statement, they said, “We observe that Fakirs and Sadhoks are being shaved, various types of aggression are happening including vandalising their houses and musical instruments, they are chasing away, and expelling them, degrading them socially.
Aggression and persecution of Bauls, Fakirs, Boyatis, followers of Lalon and ordinary people existed in the Middle Ages, during British and Pakistani rules, but the incident of torture and aggression on these humanitarian people in independent Bangladesh is not desirable at all.”
“Bauls and Fakirs had great influence in the Middle Ages. They usually came from marginalised people and spread the messages of peace, humanity and love through their lifestyle and philosophy.
The British government saw their activities as revolutionary and rebellious and took various measures to suppress them.
Even after independence, there have been several incidents of torture on Bauls and Fakirs. The aggression on them is not desirable in any way in an independent state. The state should pay special attention against this and must attach importance to their protection,” they also said.
They demanded to take steps to increase awareness among people, and at the same time ensuring safety, legal protection, cultural respect and awareness among the people following Baul, Fakir, Boyati and Lalon followers.
Musicians Kumar Bishwajit, Rahul Ananda, Bappa Majumdar, Maqsoodul Haque, Joy Shahriar, Armeen Musa, Ziaur Rahman, directors Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, Arifur Rahman, Samir Ahmed, Shankha Dasgupta, litterateur Altaf Shahnewaz, actors Manoj Pramanik, cinematographer Rashed Zaman, lyricist Shahid Mahmud Jongi, Shafiq Tuhin, recitation artiste Sharmin Lucky, are among those who gave statements.