An incident of attack and vandalism occurred at a shrine in the Batulia area of Dhamrai, Dhaka.
The shrine is locally known as that of the spiritual mystic Buchai Pagla.
The attackers claimed that the shrine was destroyed by students and teachers from local madrasas, imams, and scholars, due to anti-Islamic activities and rampant drug use at the location.
However, the locals refuted these claims, stating that no illegal activities occurred at the shrine, and drugs were strictly prohibited.
The funds collected at the shrine were used to maintain a mosque, provide financial support to madrasas, and assist the needy. The residents are deeply angered by the attack on the shrine.
The incident took place at around 12:30pm on Wednesday in the Batulia area of Sanora Union, beside the Kalampur-Saturia regional road.
More than 500 people were involved in the attack and destruction, which continued for almost two hours. The shrine's building was demolished by using an excavator.
At around 2:30pm, the army and local administration arrived, calmed the situation by negotiating with the attackers, and restored order.
Upon visiting the site, it was observed that three walls of one room of the shrine were demolished. The boundary walls around the building were also destroyed. Of the five domes on the roof, three were broken, and two of them were left on the roof. A tin structure near the shrine was smashed, and everything inside was looted. Another tin structure nearby was also destroyed, and a semi-concrete building built for the devotees' rest was vandalized and looted.
According to the locals, Buchai Pagla was a resident of Batulia. He lost his mental balance at a young age but was known for his spiritual powers, attracting many followers.
He died in a road accident in the 1980s, and his shrine was established by his grave near the Batulia road.
An annual fair and festival were held at the shrine, attracting thousands of people from far away.
However, local Muslims had been accusing the shrine of hosting activities against Islamic values. This culminated in the attack on Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses and attackers stated that for the past few days, the clerics of Dhamrai had been discussing the demolition of the shrine.
As a result, teachers, students, and imams from madrasas in areas such as Islampur, Kalampur, and Kushura gathered and launched the attack on the shrine.
Clash at Sylhet’s Shah Paran shrine leaves 20 InjuredOne of the attackers, Maulana Monirul Islam, imam of the Kushura South Kantahati Mosque, said: “Shirk and bid’ah were happening here. We couldn’t stop it before, but now, Alhamdulillah, it’s time to take action. If we remain silent now, we’ll be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. So, the scholars of Dhamrai, from various organizations, united to stop this. The Dhamrai Ulema Council, Imam Council, and Kalampur Regional Imam Council were all here.”
Another attacker, Abul Kashem, who claimed to have coordinated the attack, said: “Un-Islamic activities have been happening here for a long time, but the public couldn’t protest. Alcohol, cannabis, and other immoral activities took place here. The people of Kalampur and the surrounding areas united and destroyed it.”
Locals outraged
Meanwhile, the locals are outraged by the attack. They stated that the shrine strictly forbade any activities against Sharia law, including prostration at the shrine, and there were signs stating this.
The donation boxes were opened publicly once a week, and the funds were used for the construction of a mosque, paying the imam’s salary, helping the poor, and supporting madrasas.
The locals also said that they were not against the shrine and had never raised any complaints.
Demand raised for deployment of army for shrine securityIf anyone had concerns, they could have filed a complaint with the administration, but this sudden attack was unfair.
Standing in front of the destroyed shrine, Mohammad Tara Mia, 88, Jahangir Alam, 55, and about 10–12 others expressed their shock.
They said: “The shrine has been operating for years. Music and festivities happen only for one month a year. The donation accounts are transparent, and the money is spent on helping the poor. Yet they destroyed it. If we had known in advance, we would have resisted. They attacked us suddenly.”
Jahangir Alam angrily said: “Not a single local was involved in the demolition. Nobody even realized what was happening. No anti-Sharia activities were allowed here, and drugs were completely banned. The police always provided security here. Outsiders came and destroyed the shrine, which is unjust. Allah will judge this.”
Elderly Tara Mia also expressed his frustration, saying: “If we had known, we would have protested. No local would have allowed the shrine to be destroyed.”
At least 50 residents of Batulia stood by the damaged tin structures beside the shrine, expressing their anger.
One of the locals said: “Even the Prophet (PBUH) protected non-believers. If they had concerns, they could have talked to us. The shrine’s money was even used to support madrasas and mosques. How could they destroy it like this? No one is forced to come to the shrine. Followers come on their own. No one is harassed. Destroying the shrine is itself an un-Islamic act.”
For the past 12 years, Maulana Mohammad Sohel Mahmud, who studied at a madrasa, has been the imam at the mosque established by the shrine's funds. He said: “We strictly opposed any anti-Islam activities at the shrine. People were not allowed to prostrate there. The donation money was spent on helping people. The way they vandalized the shrine is against Islam. The local people are deeply hurt.”
Sanora Union Parishad member Md Titumir Hossain said: “They came and destroyed it suddenly. I was informed by the UNO sir and arrived with two guards. However, we couldn’t get close to them. Later, when the army came, the situation was brought under control. The attack caused an estimated financial loss of around Tk1.5 to 2 crore.”
Around two and a half hours after the incident, the army and local administration arrived at the scene.
Later in the afternoon, the Dhamrai police also arrived.
The army and local administration met with the attackers to understand their demands and informed them that the administration would hold another meeting with them on Tuesday.
They were then peacefully removed from the area.
Dhamrai Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Prashanta Baidya said: “I visited the scene. They came around noon. They made some demands, and the UNO will meet with them on Tuesday. For now, they have been persuaded to leave.”
