Buchai Pagla Mazar vandalised in Dhamrai 

Buchai Paglar Mazar, a shrine dedicated to a late local spiritual leader, in Batulia area of Dhamrai in Dhaka was vandalised by members of Islamist organisations, madrasah students, imams and others from nearby areas on Wednesday (11 September).

The incident took place at around 12:00pm on the day, Dhamrai Upazila Nirbai Officer (UNO) Khan Md Abdulla Al Mamun confirmed to The Business Standard on the day.

"I learned that such an incident was about to take place at around 11:00am. Immediately, I informed local community leaders, villagers and the Bangladesh Army to take steps to [prevent it]. I also asked our assistant (land) commissioner to go there to serve as a magistrate," he said.

"But before the army personnel could reach the spot… the shrine was already vandalised as far as I know," he added.

Members of the Bangladesh Army later brought the situation under control, said the Dhamrai UNO. 

"Those who vandalised it made some demands. I will sit for a meeting with them next week. Further decisions in this regard will be taken after the discussion," he said.

Speaking to TBS, two of the attackers said the shrine was vandalised because of "anti-Islamic activities".

"Shirk and bid'ah were happening here. We could not prevent these activities in any way… Now, it is time to resist. If we sit idle now, I'll be held accountable on Judgment Day. That is why we ulemas [Islamic scholars] from different organisations in Dhamrai have united and taken this step to stop the activities. We have succeeded," said Monirul Islam, imam of Kushura Dakshin Kantahati Mosque, who admitted that he participated in the attack, told The Business Standard.

A room where followers of Buchai Pagla would rest vandalised on 11 September. Photo: Noman Mahmud/TBS

According to him, members of Dhamrai Ulama Parishad, Imam Parishad, Kalampur Regional Imam Parishad participated in the vandalism. 

Another man who admitted to have participated in the attack, Abul Kashem, said, "Anti-Islamic activities have been taking place here [the shrine] for a long time. People could not protest even if they wanted to"

He alleged that various drug-related activities, including the consumption of "marijuana and alcohol", along with other "immoral" took place in the shrine.

"Hence, the Touhidi Janata from Kalampur and nearby areas got together today," he said.

"Vandalising the shrine is the true anti-Islamic activity": Batulia mosque Imam

Meanwhile, local residents, including religious leaders of the Batulia area have denied the allegations raised by the attackers. 

"We strictly prevented anti-Sharia activities in this shrine. Sajdah [prostration] was not allowed here. The money from donations made to the shrine was spent for the well-being of other people. The way they vandalised it, is true anti-Islamic activity. It has gravely hurt the people of this area," said Sohel Mahmud, imam of Buchai Pagla Jame Mosque, which is run by the donations made to the shrine. 

Another local resident Jahangir Alam said, "Not even a single local resident participated in the attack. No one could apprehend this would happen."

"We never let anyone conduct any anti-Sharia activity here. Drugs were completely banned. Police would provide security to the shrine. Now, people from faraway places came and vandalised the shrine. Allah will ensure justice for this," he added.

Locals also said earnings from donations to the shrine would also be used to provide financial assistance to local madrasahs and the poor.

Tara Mia, a local resident, said, "This shrine has been here for a long time. A musical festival is held here for a month every here. Other than this, nothing else happens here. Even the account of donations to the shrine is completely clear."

According to eyewitnesses, the vandalism took place for nearly two hours. Attackers destroyed the walls, three domes, a tin shed room, and a restroom for the devotees.

The grave of Buchai Pagla was also vandalised, they said.

According to locals, Buchai Pagla was a local who lost his intellectual disability. But he had many "spiritual qualities", due to which, he gained many followers. He died in the 1980s in an accident and was buried in front of the Batulia Road. The shrine was later built around his grave.