❐ Special Correspondent
In the unstable situation that arose after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, there have been a series of attacks on the Khankas, Dargahs, and shrines of Pirs and Fakirs across the country. In addition to the loss of lives in these attacks, there have also been incidents of cremation of remains from graves. In the almost one and a half years of Yunus’s interim government, no cases have been filed in most of the incidents, and there has been little progress in the investigation of those that have occurred.
Many shrines and shrines have been closed since the attacks. The violence has subsided somewhat, but not completely.
According to the police and the Center for Sufi Heritage, a total of 138 attacks were reported on shrines, dargahs, khanqas and related events—such as Urs, Lalon Mela and Palagan—between August 5, 2024, and April 16 of this year. Of these, 99 attacks were on shrines and dargahs.
Mymensingh: Shrine attacked, Urs cancelled
During the attack, vandalism, arson, beatings and looting were carried out. Before the attack, propaganda was spread that anti-Islamic activities were taking place in the relevant establishments. At least four people, including a pir, were killed in these incidents and about 1500 people were injured. Some shrines were attacked multiple times.
Many damaged shrines have yet to reopen; even after political stability returned, new attacks are being reported.
Most recently, on April 11, Pir Abdur Shamim was beaten and hacked to death at a Darbar Sharif in Daulatpur, Kushtia. The attack was carried out by spreading rumors of anti-Islamic activities.
In this incident, the deceased’s elder brother, retired teacher Fazlur Rahman, filed a case, in which Khwaja Ahmed, former president of Kushtia District Islami Chhatra Shibir, has been named as an accused in the case. The police identified 19 people but could not arrest anyone till the night of April 16.
In this regard, Kushtia Additional Superintendent of Police Faisal Mahmud claimed that a special team is working to investigate the incident.
Comilla: Four shrines set on fire and vandalized in one day
According to experts, there is no precedent in the history of the country for so many attacks on shrines in such a short period of time. They allege that such incidents are increasing due to the inaction and lack of justice of the law enforcement agencies. The fact that the accused were not arrested after the attacks has also sparked criticism.
Shrine officials said that due to obstacles from law enforcement and locals, renovations or resumption of activities are not being possible in many places. As a result, the number of visitors has dropped to almost zero.
According to the data, such attacks have occurred in at least 24 districts of the country. The highest number of attacks occurred in Dhaka division, followed by Chittagong division, where 28 attacks occurred in five districts. Of these incidents, only 13 cases have been filed and the police have filed a chargesheet in one case so far.
Investigations revealed that only two cases have been filed in connection with the attacks on 13 shrines in Comilla. Four people have been arrested in connection with the attacks on four shrines in Asadpur, Homna Upazila, but there has been no progress in the investigation.
Homna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tomas Barua said that due to the reluctance of eyewitnesses and social pressure, many are not coming forward to give testimony, resulting in slow investigations.
Three cases have been filed in connection with the attacks on the shrines and khanqas of Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA), Khwaja Baba Dayara Sharif and Shahjahan Uddin (RA) Aulia in Mymensingh, but no accused has been arrested yet. There are allegations that the investigation into these cases has not progressed either.
In this regard, Syed Kalu Shah (Rah.) Shrine Committee Finance Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman said that the police have not conducted any investigation or arrest activities, which is one of the reasons for the increase in such attacks.
On the other hand, Mymensingh Additional Superintendent of Police (Finance and Administration) Md. Abdullah Al Mamun said that it is becoming difficult to move forward with the investigation as the plaintiffs in the case are unable to identify the specific accused.
One of the most talked about attacks during the interim government took place at the shrine of Nurul Haque alias Nural Pagla in Goalanda, Rajbari. There were attacks, vandalism and arson, as well as allegations that his body was removed from the grave and burned. It is also known that after his death, propaganda was spread in the area about his burial.
Although more than 26 people have been arrested in multiple cases in this incident, the investigation has not been completed even after seven months.
The attack on ‘Haq Baba Gausul Azam Maizbhandari Gausiya Pak Darbar Sharif’ in Paba Upazila of Rajshahi was carried out on September 5 last year. However, no case has been filed in this incident and the khanka’s activities have been suspended since the attack.
Pir Azizur Rahman said that when he tried to organize a program the day after Eid-ul-Fitr, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Poba Police Station stopped it.
In this regard, OC Abdul Matin said, “Unpleasant incidents could have happened if the event had not been stopped. That is why it has been asked to stop.”
The Oras was close
The investigation found that no cases were filed despite attacks and clashes at at least three shrines in Sylhet; attempts were made to resolve the issues locally. Similarly, no cases were filed in the attacks on the shrine of Pir Rahim Shah Bhandari in Ghoraghat, Dinajpur, and the shrine in Kayemkola village of Dogachi union, Pabna.
The victims complain that they are unable to file a case due to insecurity and that the police are not providing proper cooperation.
However, a different picture emerged in an incident in Noakhali. In February 2025, a case was registered naming 44 people and accusing an unknown 150-200 people in connection with the attack on the shrine of Shah Sufi Ayub Ali Darvesh under Sudharam police station. Police have arrested 25 people in the incident.
Sudharam Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Touhidul Islam said that the investigating officer of the case has already filed a chargesheet against 42 accused.
Attacks on shrines in various parts of the country over the past two years have spread panic among devotees and followers. As a result, the number of visitors has decreased and the number of events has also decreased. Many of the damaged shrines have not yet been reopened.
The court of Khwaja Badruddoza Haider (r.a.) alias Doja Pir in Sherpur is still in ruins after two attacks in November 2024.
Khadem Mahmudan Masud said, “No one is able to enter the shrine. No clearance has been received from the administration.”
Natore: Attack on shrine, Urs cancelled
Many shrines and dargahs in Narayanganj, Rajbari, Sylhet and Chittagong are still closed.
The attacks on shrines have also had an impact on the capital’s traditional shrines. It has been observed that there has been a significant decrease in visitors and religious activities at these places.
When visiting the shrine of Sultanul Auliya Hazrat Shah Ali Baghdadi (RA) in Mirpur, it was seen that the number of visitors was very small.
Shafiqur Rahman, a resident of Savar who was present there, said, “The shrine doesn’t feel safe now. People don’t come. Crazy devotees and fakirs are now roaming the streets instead of coming to the shrine.”
The number of visitors and events at Hazrat Haji Khwaja Shahbaz (Rah.) Shrine in the High Court area of Dhaka, Khwaja Sharfuddin Chishti (Rah.) Shrine in Ramna, Dayara Sharif in Azimpur, Pir Yemeni (Rah.) Shrine at Purana Paltan More, Golapshah Shrine in Gulistan, Shah Neamat Ullah Burain Chishti (Rah.) Shrine in Chawkbazar, and Hazrat Musa Shah (Rah.) Shrine in Mirpur-1 have also decreased compared to before.
Although food was previously distributed to the needy at these shrines, it is now closed in many places.
Recently, the Solaiman Langtar Urs and Fair were closed.
The Center for Sufi Heritage said the attacks may have been inspired by local leaders and activists of some of the country’s political parties. The organization called on the government to take swift action.
Poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar has expressed concern over the attack on the shrine.
He said, “If someone’s ideology is not liked, this heinous crime of attacking them must be stopped. If there were trials, such attacks would not happen again. Therefore, there must be trials. Every incident must be investigated and strict punishment must be ensured. The government must be stricter. Along with this, a mass movement must be built.”
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