The fakir’s cry should haunt us, and the state

The video clip is heartbreaking. An elderly fakir is walking down a street when suddenly three men wearing grey vests begin to chase him. Before he can understand what is happening, they drag him to a side. The old man tries with all his strength to resist. They overpower him and pin him down before they proceed to cut off his hair.

Long matted hair and beard are traditionally associated with fakirs and bauls. Some consider it an essential part of their spiritual journey.

In the video clip, the fakir breaks down in tears. In a plea to the Almighty, to take note of this barbarity, the fakir keeps repeating, "Allah, Allah dehis tui". He pleads with the men not to cut his hair, but they refuse to listen. By the time they are done shaving his head, the old man collapses.

The men are wearing uniforms and gloves (they seemingly came prepared), and they can be easily identified from the video footage. Yet, no arrests have been made. Once again, the authorities have failed to act swiftly -- failed to protect vulnerable bauls and fakirs, and failed to send a strong message against harassment and assault driven by intolerance and bigotry. Their silence and inaction have empowered and encouraged these fanatics to continue such attacks.

This cruelty is not just the humiliation of one person. It is a direct attack on Bangladesh's culturally diverse identity. Lalon's philosophy, the music of the bauls, and the spiritual traditions of fakirs represent tolerance and harmony. Attacking them is attacking the soul of the nation. What makes this crime even more alarming is that the perpetrators act openly, without fear of the law, while the government looks away.

If the state cannot protect its citizens from humiliation and assault in broad daylight, it raises serious questions about its ability to uphold justice. If the perpetrators are not identified, arrested, and brought to justice, the government's silence becomes complicity. Violence must be resisted with firmness. Silence on these instances of violence today will result in violence against anyone tomorrow.