Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Muhammad Rashed Khan has called for strict punishment, not release, of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, accusing him of making derogatory remarks about religion that could disrupt social harmony in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Rashed Khan stated that Sarkar’s comments insulted the religious sentiments of Muslims and attempted to undermine communal harmony. He emphasized that while artists have freedom in their creative expression, no one has the right to speak offensively about any religion, including Islam or Hinduism. Rashed urged those advocating for Sarkar’s release to first listen to his statements, asserting that lawful punishment would deter others from making similar remarks in the future. He concluded by stressing the need for peace and unity in society, rejecting any form of religious division or controversy.