In the changing circumstances in Bangladesh, attacks on shrines have reached an alarming level.
Despite the police headquarters alerting all police stations across the country, they do not have an accurate count of how many shrines have been attacked.
However, those associated with the shrines claim that more than 50 shrines, both large and small, have been attacked.
The Office of the Chief Adviser also issued a statement on Saturday, expressing concern and condemnation over these attacks, calling for the identification and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
The statement mentioned that attacks on shrines have been occurring for several days, though the police headquarters could not confirm whether anyone had been arrested in connection with the incidents.
On the night of September 5, the Dewanbagh Darbar Sharif in Narayanganj was attacked and set on fire. Since then, more shrines across the country have been targeted. In some shrines, even playing music has been stopped.
Reports have surfaced of a shrine in Gazipur being demolished by a bulldozer.
Followers of these shrines are now living in fear and have taken to the streets to protest.
Syed Golam Moinuddin Bhuiyan, the chief caretaker of the Yajoora Darbar Sharif in Nangalkot, Comilla, said: “On September 9, the shrine was attacked and heavily damaged. After the attack, the shrine was set on fire. In our area, another seven to eight shrines were attacked. At least 50 shrines have been attacked nationwide. Those involved in these attacks are students of Qawmi madrasas. A self-serving group has used teachers and students from several local madrasas.”
He added: “There are ideological differences. That’s acceptable. We do not follow Wahhabi thought. We believe in Sufism. But does that justify the attacks on us?”
There are more than 3,000 shrines across the country, and followers of all these shrines are now concerned.
According to him, such a situation has never occurred before. “What good will the police do after the attack? We want security before it happens,” he said.
Haji Zakir Hossain Molla, caretaker of the Golap Shah Shrine, said: “Islam came to Bangladesh through the hands of saints and spiritual leaders. 360 saints came to this country, and many more were born here through their influence. Now, an extremist group is attacking the shrines and darbars. We are peaceful people, and our followers are also peaceful. After receiving threats of an attack on the Golap Shah Shrine, we have been guarding the shrine for the past few days. We will protect it with our lives.”
He continued: “It is the responsibility of Muslims to come forward to protect these shrines. We are being patient and seeking justice from Allah. What the state will do is up to the state.”
He further said: “After August 5, several shrines in Bangladesh have been attacked. Those who are carrying out these attacks seem to have a special agenda. Many shrines of saints and spiritual leaders are present in this land, who played a significant role in propagating Islam. Those attacking these shrines in the name of Islam are actually using religion for their own interests.”
Firoz Mia, caretaker of the Hazrat Shah Paran Shrine in Sylhet, said: “At around 3am on September 9, an attack occurred during the urs celebration at the shrine. They vandalized the shrine, destroyed the CCTV cameras, and took them away. They also beat the devotees (known as pagla). During the attack, the attackers said, ‘There will be no music at the shrine. No one will be allowed to consume marijuana.’”
He said that the police were present during the attack, but the incidents still occurred in their presence. “We have filed a case. More police have been deployed to the shrine, but it pains us that this is the first time an attack has happened at the shrine and devotees were beaten.”
Meanwhile, the Hazrat Shah Jalal Shrine in Sylhet has not been attacked, though there is concern. Additional police have been deployed there as well.
Mufti Saiful Islam, the imam of the Taqwa Mosque in Dhaka, said: “Such attacks are not supported by Islam in any way. If there is a grievance, it should be reported to the authorities. But resorting to violence is illegal.”
Human rights activist Nur Khan said: “Those who are attacking are extremists. They must be brought under the law, and measures should be taken to prevent further attacks. If these attacks do not stop, the government will ultimately be held responsible.”
Additional Inspector General (AIG) Inamul Haque Sagar said: “The police headquarters had already instructed the police to take a strong stance to prevent such attacks. Those involved in the attacks will be identified and dealt with.”
However, he could not provide the total number of attacks, the number of cases filed, or how many people have been arrested across the country.