Since the July mass uprising, and through the final phase of the interim government, around 97 shrines (mazars) across the country have come under attack. These incidents involved vandalism, arson, looting, and coordinated assaults. In the latest case, on Saturday in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia, “Pir” Shamim Reza was beaten and hacked to death at his shrine following an alleged attack triggered by rumours of religious blasphemy.
Despite nearly a hundred such incidents, only 12 cases—including the Kushtia incident—have been formally filed, according to available data. However, there has been little visible progress in most investigations. In the majority of cases, there have been no significant arrests or judicial developments, raising concerns about a growing culture of impunity surrounding attacks on shrines.
In the Kushtia incident, an old video of the shrine’s caretaker was reportedly circulated and used to accuse him of “insulting the Quran” and showing “religious disrespect.” Followers of the deceased claim parts of the video were edited and reshared to create a misleading narrative. Subsequently, Shamim Reza, also known as Jahangir, was beaten and hacked to death at his shrine. The site was also vandalized and set on fire during the attack.
A murder case was later filed at Daulatpur Police Station by the victim’s brother, naming four individuals, including leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. However, even a week after the incident, no arrests had been made. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arifur Rahman said: “No one has been arrested yet. Police are working on the matter; the investigation is ongoing.”
According to data from August 2024 to April 11 this year, there have been more than 100 incidents of attacks, vandalism, and looting at shrines across the country. At least three people have been killed and over 200 injured, including women, according to a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). The report notes that these incidents have created widespread public anxiety and insecurity in affected areas.
It further states that most attacks were triggered by allegations of religious disrespect, which later escalated into mob violence. In many cases, rumours or edited videos circulated online mobilized crowds that engaged in vandalism, arson, and looting. Valuable belongings, furniture, and other items from shrines were reportedly stolen in several incidents, further worsening the situation.
According to Sufism-focused research organization Makam, more than 50 shrine attacks were reported across districts in Dhaka division between August 8, 2024, and December 2025. Narayanganj recorded the highest number with 11 incidents, followed by Dhaka with nine. Multiple cases were also reported in Kishoreganj, Manikganj, Tangail, Gazipur, and Rajbari. At least 180 people, including women, were injured and at least two were killed in these incidents. In Rajbari, a particularly disturbing case involved the exhumation and burning of the grave of a man known as “Nura Pagla.”
The Chittagong division also saw a significant number of attacks. Makam reported 27 incidents in total, including 17 in Cumilla, four in Chittagong, three in Noakhali, two in Brahmanbaria, and one in Cox’s Bazar. Several historic shrines in areas such as Sitakunda and Hathazari were also targeted.
In Dhamrai upazila, near Dhaka, three shrines were attacked during the tenure of the interim government. Although three cases were filed, no arrests have been made. One shrine has resumed activities, while the other two remain closed.
On January 23, 2025, at Shukur Ali Shah Faqir’s shrine in the Arjun Nala area of Gangutia union, Dhamrai, a group of local worshippers first halted an annual religious gathering, citing “un-Islamic practices,” and later vandalized the shrine. Two graves and a tin shed were completely destroyed, while another structure was partially damaged.
The following day, January 24, the victim’s family filed a case naming 12 individuals and 700–800 unidentified people.
In another incident on September 11, 2024, unknown attackers vandalised the Buchai Pagla shrine beside the Kalampur–Saturia regional road in the Batulia area of Sanora union, Dhamrai. Nearly six months later, on January 23, 2025, a Dhaka court ordered police to file a regular case against those involved.
The next night, on September 12, 2024, another shrine known as “Barkat Ma” in the Islampur area was also vandalised.
During a recent field visit, it was found that the Buchai Pagla shrine in Batulia has resumed operations. The damaged graveyard and surrounding structures have been repaired, and locals say there are currently no threats.
Committee president Delwar Hossain said: “Police filed a case naming two people and several unidentified individuals, but no one has been arrested. Many suspects can be identified from videos.”
He added: “We have restored the shrine and resumed activities. We want justice for what happened.”
However, at Shukur Ali Shah Faqir’s shrine, the damage remains largely unrepaired even after 15 months. Shrine caretaker Akkas Ali’s nephew, Monowar Hossain, said: “We filed a case with named suspects, but no one was arrested. We held this year’s urs with only prayers and food distribution.”
When asked whether they expect justice from the current government, he said: “What justice can we expect? Only God will do justice.”
At the “Barkat Ma” shrine in Islampur, no caretakers were found during a visit. The site remains in ruins, with bricks and debris covered in dust. Locals say no activities have resumed there.
Police Inspector (Investigation) Shahidul Islam of Dhamrai Police Station said: “Cases have been filed, but no arrests have been made. Investigations are at different stages. There is currently no security threat related to any shrine.”
Analysts say these incidents are driven by a mix of religious ideological differences, social intolerance, rumour-based mobilisation, political influence, and local power struggles. They also note that limited progress in investigations, arrests, and prosecution has contributed to a perception of impunity.
Dr Abdur Razzaque Khan, a faculty member at the University of Dhaka, said the most concerning issue is the perception of impunity created when investigations and trial processes are not made visible or completed promptly. “This increases the risk of similar violence recurring in the future,” he added.
He further said that to address the situation, law enforcement agencies must ensure swift and impartial investigations, strengthen public awareness at the local level, and take effective measures to counter misinformation. “At the same time, unless the judicial process is made visible and credible, the crisis of public trust is likely to deepen further,” he observed.
Attempts to reach Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed for comment on arrests and legal action were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated phone calls.
However, the Prime Minister’s Information Adviser, Jahid Ur Rahman, acknowledged administrative shortcomings, saying the government accepts responsibility for failing to prevent such incidents and has begun taking steps to address them.