Protests continue in Sylhet demanding reinstatement of DC Sarwoer Alam

Protests continued for the second consecutive day in Sylhet today (22 June), demanding cancellation of the decision to withdraw Md Sarwoer Alam from the post of deputy commissioner and his reinstatement.

Since this morning, demonstrations have been held under different banners in and around the deputy commissioner's office.

Meanwhile, 67 prominent citizens of Sylhet have issued a statement protesting DC Sarwoer's recent steps involving the Hazrat Shahjalal (R) shrine.

In the statement, they condemned what they described as an initiative by the district administration to "destroy the tradition" of the shrine.

Yesterday (21 June), following an order from the Ministry of Public Administration, Sarwoer Alam was withdrawn from the post of Sylhet deputy commissioner and appointed as a deputy secretary at the ministry.

He had been appointed Sylhet deputy commissioner in August last year amid controversy over the looting of Sada Pathar. He was withdrawn from the post after only 10 months.

Protesting the sudden decision, a human chain was formed yesterday under the banner of "citizens from all walks of life in Sylhet."

Today, demonstrations were also held in front of the deputy commissioner's office and at Bandarbazar Court Point under banners such as "Conscious Citizens of Sylhet," "Youth of Sylhet" and "Conscious Young People of Sylhet."

People of different ages, along with teachers and students from several madrasas, took part in the demonstrations.

The protesters chanted slogans such as "We do not accept DC Sarwoer's withdrawal" and "Sylhet needs DC Sarwoer."

Speakers at the protest programmes said the deputy commissioner had been vocal against corruption and irregularities in Sylhet.

They said he had played a leading role in implementing various demands of Sylhet residents and alleged that he was transferred to silence his voice against irregularities.

They also claimed that a corrupt syndicate had worked behind the scenes to remove him from Sylhet.

In the morning, Sarwoer shook hands with protesters while entering his office. The protesters then escorted him to the deputy commissioner's office while chanting slogans. Around noon, he left his office to offer Zuhr prayers at the Hazrat Shahjalal (R) shrine mosque.

Multiple sources said Sarwoer had drawn both praise and criticism over several issues during his tenure in Sylhet.

Recently, some of his initiatives involving the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R) became widely discussed and drew criticism.

According to sources, Sarwoer visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R) on 12 June. During the visit, he announced steps to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the shrines' income and expenditure.

As part of the move, the old donation boxes at the shrine were sealed on Thursday afternoon and new donation boxes were installed. Three historic donation cauldrons used to collect devotees' offerings were also sealed.

Meanwhile, 67 prominent citizens have expressed concern and anger over what they called administrative interference at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shah Paran (R) following initiatives taken by Sarwoer.

The statement was issued through a press release yesterday.

In the statement, the citizens termed the administrative steps at the shrines contrary to tradition and shrine culture, and demanded their immediate withdrawal.

They said such administrative measures had never been seen at the centuries-old shrine in independent Bangladesh.

The statement added that the incident has created serious doubts and concerns among the public over whether it was being carried out to serve the agenda of a particular quarter opposed to dargah and shrine culture.