'Allah, hope you see this': Case filed over forcibly shaving elderly fakir's hair in public
The incident, which occurred nearly four months ago, has led to a case being filed this afternoon (27 September) by the fakir’s son, Shahid Mia Akand, who named a total of 12 people as defendants, including seven identified individuals
A case has been filed with the Tarakanda Police Station in Mymensingh following a disturbing video recently circulating on social media, which showed a group of men forcibly cutting off an elderly fakir's hair in public in the capital's Sadaraghat area.
The incident, which occurred nearly four months ago, has led to a case being filed this afternoon (27 September) by the fakir's son, Shahid Mia Akand, who named a total of 12 people as defendants, including seven identified individuals, reports Prothom Alo.
Shahid Mia told Prothom Alo, "We were unable to take any action earlier regarding the injustice done to my father. Since many people in the country have protested this wrongdoing, we have now sought legal recourse. Let the law take its course against those who committed this act."
In the video, the elderly man, identified as Halim Uddin Fakir, could be seen walking down the street before three men in grey vests suddenly chase him, drag him aside, and sit him down, in a bid to target his long matted hair, traditionally associated with fakirs and bauls.
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The men performing the act included Mufti Sohrab Hossain Ashrafi and Afsar, who run a Facebook page titled "Human Service Bangladesh." Mufti Sohrab dubs this activity a social service.
The video also showed that despite his desperate resistance and repeated pleas, crying "Allah, hope you see this", the group takes out a trimmer and starts shaving his head, how it appears, against his will.
By the end of the ordeal, the old man collapses in tears, as seen in the video.
In this regard, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) in Mymensingh Abdullah Al Mamun said, "The individuals who cut the hair are mainly content creators. Upon receiving the written complaint at the police station, a case has been registered regarding the incident. Necessary steps are being taken in this regard."
Mufti Sohrab Hossain Ashrafi earlier told TBS, "Those who are helpless, who are left lying around, who cannot possibly keep themselves clean, we help to make them clean."
"Sometimes people call us from different areas if someone there needs this kind of cleaning. In those cases, we go and do it. At times it becomes a matter of force. We do all this with our own money," Sohrab added.
The incident has sparked outrage among citizens, with human rights activists voicing concern.
The video also triggered a heated debate online, with some netizens showing favour toward the act while others condemned it as a crime and a blatant violation of dignity and rights.
ASK condemn
In a statement on 25 September, expressing deep concern over the incident, the ASK termed the act "inhumane, illegal," and a clear violation of the Constitution and fundamental human rights.
The human rights organisation mentions that Article 31 guarantees every citizen the right to a dignified life under the law, Article 32 ensures the right to life and personal liberty, and Article 35 prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
ASK said, "Such incidents not only violate the victim's fundamental rights and personal liberty but also strike directly at human dignity, creating an environment of fear and insecurity in society."
The organisation called for the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible, and urged the state to ensure no citizen suffers such humiliation again.
