Lakshmipur Merchant Association Leader Forces Elderly Man to Do Sit-Ups for Not Fasting

Local Correspondent

The leader of the Lakshmipur Merchant Association is patrolling with a stick to punish those who are not observing Ramadan. On Wednesday, the controversial acting president of the association, Abdul Aziz, armed with a stick, entered hotels and restaurants and publicly punished several young men and an elderly man.

A viral video of the incident shows Abdul Aziz dragging people out of hotels and restaurants and forcing them to do sit-ups by pulling their ears in public. His actions have sparked outrage among the public. Several videos circulating on Facebook have triggered a storm of criticism on social media against the merchant association leader.

In one video from Thana Road area, Aziz is heard addressing an elderly man, “You disrespectful man, with a beard on your face. Aren’t you afraid of death? Your hair has turned gray. Why aren’t you fasting? Aren’t you a Muslim? Don’t you have children? Why aren’t you fasting?”

When the elderly man mentioned vomiting, Aziz replied, “What vomiting? Vomiting doesn’t break the fast. Will you ever break the fast again?” Despite the elderly man not responding, Aziz forcefully grabbed his ear and made him do sit-ups, saying, “Will you ever break the fast again? From tomorrow, you will fast.” In this way, he publicly humiliated the sick elderly man.

Meanwhile, local residents have expressed anger against Abdul Aziz. Daily wage laborers and hardworking people who cannot fast due to physical labor often eat at these makeshift food stalls. They question who gave Abdul Aziz the right to torment and harass them in this manner. They ask, “Who decides who fasts and who doesn’t? That is the Creator’s jurisdiction. Who gave Abdul Aziz the authority to oversee this?”

Regarding the incident, Abdul Aziz, the acting president of the merchant association, said, “Fasting is obligatory for Muslims. But some people are not fasting and are eating at these temporary stalls, violating the sanctity of Ramadan. As Muslims, we, on behalf of the merchant association, have conducted a precautionary operation. As punishment, we made them hold their ears.”

When asked why he is doing this despite having no legal authority to punish, he replied, “90% of the country’s population is Muslim. In response to demands, I made a few people hold their ears for not fasting.”

Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Jamshed Alam Rana said, “I am not aware of the incident. It will be investigated. If any victim files a complaint seeking redress, legal action can be taken against him.”