Extremists attack Khanka Sharif in Rajshahi with police present

Staff Correspondent

A militant-radical fundamentalist group called the so-called Towhidi Janata has attacked and vandalized the Khanka Sharif of Aziz Bhandari, a traditional center for practicing Sufism, in Panishail Chandrapukur village of Paba upazila of Rajshahi. The attack took place in the presence of police.

Khanka’s fans and followers believe this attack is a direct attack on religious freedom.

The attack took place in this area of ​​Baragachi Union after Friday prayers on September 5th.

Although Munirul Islam, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Paba Police Station, confirmed the matter, many have raised questions about the police’s failure to prevent the attack.

Khanka’s current Pir Azizul Islam said the police and intelligence agencies were warned about the possible attack in advance. Still, no security was beefed up. The attackers are a radical group called the Towhidi Janata, which is spreading hatred against Sufism, shrines and spiritual practices.

He said that a three-day prayer gathering is organized every year on the occasion of Eid-e-Miladunnabi. This year too, the event was going on with prior permission. But after the Friday prayers, some local extremists were planned to form a mob and attack Khanka Sharif. They went on a rampage and destroyed the holy place.

Witnesses said a police patrol was present at the scene during the attack, but they were inactive. Khanka Sharif’s followers are expressing anger over their role.

OC Munirul Islam said, “Three to four hundred people attacked together, and we were only five. There was nothing we could do there.”

Sufism has occupied an important place in the thousand-year-old religious tradition of Bangladesh, but they have become helpless during the current Yunus government. The message of peace, compassion and humanity spread through the Pir-Darvesh in this land and has remained immortal for ages. Today’s attack on that traditional practice is not just a religious institution, but a naked blow to the country’s long-standing tolerant, liberal and spiritual culture, Sudheejan said.

Devotees of the shrine allege that the government is sponsoring some militant groups called ‘Tawheedi Janata’, who are engaging in various provocative activities across the country, calling Sufism and spiritual Islam ‘innovation’.

Cultural activists and activists have commented that the militants are destroying not only the Khanqa or shrine, but also the country’s religious diversity, culture, and spirit of coexistence.