The Crime Desk: Attacks on shrines have reached an alarming level in the changing situation in Bangladesh. Although the police headquarters has warned the police stations all over the country about this, they have no accurate account of how many shrines have been attacked. However, shrine officials say that there have been attacks on more than 50 shrines, big and small.
A statement from the Office of the Chief Counsel on Saturday condemned the concern over these attacks and called for exemplary punishment by identifying those responsible.
The statement also said that the shrine had been attacked for several days. However, the police headquarters could not inform whether anyone has been arrested in connection with these attacks.
Dewabag Darbar Sharif of Narayanganj was attacked and set on fire on the night of September 5. Since then, there have been attacks on other shrines in the country. Music has also been stopped in some shrines. There were also reports of a shrine being bulldozed in Dhaka’s Gazipur. There is panic among the devotees at the shrines. They also took to the streets to protest.
Chief Khadem Syed Golam Moinuddin Bhandari of Yazora Darbar Sharif of Nangalkot in Comilla said that on September 9, the Darbar Sharif was attacked and caused extensive damage. The shrine was burned down after the attack. Seven-eight other shrines were attacked in our area. At least 50 shrines have been attacked across the country. Those who took part in the attack were students of Qaumi Madrasa. A few local madrasahs used a vested interest group of teachers and students.
That being said, there is a difference of opinion here. It may be. We do not follow Wahhabi ideology. We believe in Sufism. So we will be attacked?
There are more than three thousand shrines across the country. All shrine devotees are worried now. He said that such a situation has never happened before. He also said what will happen if the police come after the attack. We want security before an attack.
Khadem Haji of Golap Shah Mazar. Zakir Hossain Molla said Islam came to Bangladesh by the hand of Pir Oli. 360 Oli Auliyas have arrived in Bangladesh. Many more Ollies were born here by their hands. Now a militant group is attacking their shrine and court. We are peaceloving people, peaceloving devotees. We devotees have been guarding the shrine for the last few days after receiving threats of attack on Golapshah shrine. We will protect the shrine with our chest.
He also said that it is the responsibility of Muslims to protect these shrines. And we are patient. I am judging by Allah. What the state will do is the state’s business. Several shrines have been attacked in Bangladesh since August 5. Those who are doing this attack seem to have a special purpose. There are many Oli Auliar shrines in this township. They have played a role in spreading Islam here. Those who are attacking shrines in the name of Islam are actually using Islam for their own interests.
Hazrat Shah Paran (r.) Khadem of Sylhet shrine Feroze Mia told Deutsche Welle that the shrine was attacked on September 9 around three o’clock in the night. They vandalized the shrine. CC camera vandalized and taken away. By beating the devotees (crazy).
During the attack, the attackers said that music cannot be played in the shrine and Gaza cannot be eaten.
Police were there during the attack, and these incidents took place in their presence, he said, adding that we have filed a case. More police have been provided at the shrine. But our trouble is that this is the first shrine attacked. Fans were beaten.
However, in another shrine of Sylhet, Hazrat Shahjalal (r.a.) shrine, despite the fear of this situation, there has been no attack yet. He said that additional police have been deployed there as well.
Meanwhile, Imam Mufti Saiful Islam of Taqwa Mosque in Dhaka said that Islam does not support such attacks in any way. If there is any complaint, it can be reported to Prashan. But attacking is illegal.
Human rights activist Noor Khan said that those who are attacking are extremists. They must be brought under the law. And measures should be taken to prevent attacks. If this attack is not stopped, this government will have to take the responsibility in the end.
Inamul Haque Sagar, AIG Media of the police headquarters, said that the police had been asked to take a strict stand to prevent this attack from happening a few days ago. Those who attacked must be identified and action taken.
However, the total number of attacks on shrines across the country. He could not give the information about how many cases and how many people have been arrested.
