A coalition of 371 university and medical college teachers on Saturday issued a strongly worded statement demanding prompt legal action against Baul leader Abul Sarkar and calling for an end to what they described as the “fraudulent promotion” of Baul practices in the guise of Islam. The declaration — coordinated by the platform MulloBodh Andolon and signed by a broad cross-section of academics — says Sarkar’s recent conduct has crossed the line from cultural expression into deliberate provocation that wounds religious sentiment and fuels social unrest.

The statement, published under the signature of coordinator Engr. Muhammad Sadat Hossain, argues that Bangladesh’s plural religious and cultural traditions have historically coexisted with tolerance, but added that certain Baul practices and some of Sarkar’s public acts contradict mainstream moral norms and risk misleading the public when presented in religious language. The teachers cited alleged acts such as distorted recitation of Quranic verses and “indecent” performative rituals as the immediate cause of public anger. They urged law enforcement to take “exemplary” legal measures against anyone found guilty of inciting unrest.

Signatories include a cross-section of academics — 100 professors, 74 associate professors, 99 assistant professors and 98 lecturers from leading public and private universities and medical colleges. Notable names listed among the signatories include Prof. Sabina Yasmin (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, DU), Prof. Manzurul Muhammed Karim (Microbiology, DU), Prof. Mohammad Faisal (BUET), Prof. Mahamuda Akter (BUTEX) and senior academics from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Rajshahi University, Jagannath University, Daffodil International University and others. The full list was published on the Mullobodh website. The teachers warned that defending the accused on grounds of “freedom of speech” while ignoring alleged provocation is irresponsible and could deepen communal tensions.

The declaration also emphasised that while cultural practices like Baul music are part of Bangladesh’s heritage, they must not be used to misrepresent or attack the religious beliefs of the majority. “Baul philosophy and ritual practice should remain within their cultural domain and must not be repackaged as religious doctrine to mislead the faithful,” the statement said, calling for regulatory scrutiny to prevent what it called “deceptive religious presentations.”

The teachers’ appeal comes amid nationwide debate after the arrest of Abul Sarkar in Manikganj on charges related to alleged insult of religious texts and subsequent public protests and counter-protests across districts. While supporters of Sarkar have framed the matter as cultural expression and freedom of conscience, opponents say his actions deliberately provoked religious sentiments and therefore require strict legal redress. The academics urged courts and law enforcement to act transparently and firmly to prevent vigilante reprisals while ensuring the rule of law.

The statement concludes with a call to political and civil-society leaders to discourage inflammatory rhetoric on both sides and to promote legal, peaceful avenues for resolving cultural and religious disputes. Organisers say their aim is to restore calm and protect both religious sensibilities and legitimate cultural pluralism but they insist that actions amounting to religious provocation must not go unanswered.