Prominent poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar has strongly condemned the arrest of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, declaring that detaining Sarkar is equivalent to arresting him. Speaking at a protest rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on November 24, organized by Sadhu Gurubhakt and Auliya Ashikan Parishad, Mazhar said Sarkar had been part of every movement and protest alongside him. He criticized the government for undermining individual rights, dignity, and freedom of expression since August 5, describing the current situation as a rise of 'religious fascism' following incidents like the destruction of shrines. Mazhar urged the government to uphold its promises made after the mass uprising by ensuring citizens’ cultural and personal rights. Other speakers at the rally demanded the immediate withdrawal of what they called a false case against Abul Sarkar and punishment for those involved in attacks on Baul artists.