Violence erupts in Rajbari over burial of Nural Pagla; 1 killed, over 100 injured
Interim government condemns the incident as “inhuman and despicable”
Highlights
- One killed and over 100 injured
- Mob vandalises shrine and burns Nural Pagla's body
- Police and UNO vehicles set on fire during violence
- Government condemns act and vows tough action
At least one person was killed and more than a hundred others injured today (5 September) when violent clashes broke out in Rajbari's Goalanda upazila over the grave of Nurul Haque Molla, widely known as Nural Pagla, a self-proclaimed Imam Mahdi claimant.
The deceased was identified as Md Rasel Molla, 28, son of Azad Member of Pochajut Mistipara under Debgram union.
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He died while undergoing treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, confirmed Dr Md Sharif Islam, residential medical officer of Goalanda Upazila Health Complex.
The violence began around noon when agitated crowds attacked Nural Pagla's dwelling place in the Ansar Club area. His followers resisted, and both sides hurled bricks and stones, leaving scores injured.
The mob vandalised and set fire to the "shrine," as well as several vehicles, including two police cars and the upazila nirbahi officer's (UNO) vehicle.
Goalanda UNO Md Nahidul Rahman told The Business Standard, "The agitated mob vandalised my vehicle as well as the additional superintendent of police's car and the officer-in-charge's vehicle. Later, they attacked Nural Pagla's shrine, exhumed his body, and burned it."
He added that the situation was later brought under control.
What's behind the unrest
Following Nural Pagla's death on 23 August, his family buried him in front of his house inside an approximately 12-foot structure.
The grave was painted in the style of the Kaaba Sharif, and a banner declaring "Darbar Sharif of Hazrat Imam Mahdi (AS)" was hung. This angered local Muslims and fuelled tensions in the area.
On 26 August, the Imam Parishad of Goalanda Upazila called for a protest.
To calm the situation, the district administration held several meetings, during which three demands were raised: Changing the grave's colour from the Kaaba style, removing the signboard, and reducing the grave's height to a normal level.
The family and followers accepted the first two demands but sought time, first until 28 August and later until 4 September, to decide on lowering the grave. However, it was not done by the stipulated timeline.
Today, after the Jummah prayer, locals gathered at the Goalanda Ansar Club square. Later, violence erupted as they clashed with Nural Pagla's followers.
The mob vandalised and looted nearby houses and set fire to the "shrine."
They also redug the grave, carried the body in a procession to the Dhaka-Khulna highway at Padma intersection, and set it alight.
The army, police, magistrates, and RAB intervened twice during the day, eventually bringing the situation under control by evening. Fire Service teams were also deployed to douse the flames.
Government condemnation
The interim government strongly condemned the desecration of the grave and the burning of the body, calling the incident "inhuman and despicable."
In a statement issued today, it said: "This act is a direct affront to our values, our laws, and the very fabric of a just and civilised society. Such acts of barbarity will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The interim government is committed to upholding the rule of law and preserving the sanctity of every human life, both in life and in death."
The government assured that those responsible will be identified and prosecuted with the full force of the law.
"No individual or group is above accountability. Immediate and tough legal action will be taken to ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions," the statement added.
Citizens were urged to reject hatred and stand united against violence while upholding dignity, justice, and humanity.
