A mob of more than a hundred people vandalised pir Azizur Rahman Bhandari's khanqah (monastery) after Juma prayers while chanting slogans over a loudspeaker in the presence of police in Rajshahi's Paba upazila on Friday.
The mob also hurled stones and bricks at Bhandari's house in Panishail Chandrapukur village of Bargachi union.
Bhandari, a resident of the area and respected as a Pir by his followers, established the khanqah on his own land next to his house about 15 years ago, naming it "Haq Baba Gausul Azam Maiz Bhandari Gausia Pak Darbar Sharif."
In a video of the attack circulating on social media, more than a hundred people can be seen attacking the khanqah shrine, which is surrounded by tin sheets.
Bhandari claimed that local BNP leader and former union parishad (UP) member Golam Mostafa led the attack. Workers of Jamaat-e-Islami were also with him. While coming to carry out the attack, they were chanting "Naray-e-Takbir, Allahu Akbar" slogans over a loudspeaker.
"Haq Baba" khanqah celebrates Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) every year. To mark the occasion, a three-day programme was organised from Thursday to Saturday, reports a correspondent from Rajshahi.
During the event, artists performed Bhandari and Murshidi songs. However, there had been tension regarding the presence of female performers.
Bhandari said that on Thursday, several people, including political leaders, also went to the police station.
Two police vehicles with officers were present at the khanqah on Friday, and Paba Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monirul Islam was also present.
However, during the attack, the police remained inactive and were not seen preventing anyone in the agitated crowd.
Bhandari did not leave his house during the attack.
"For several days, some people in the area had been obstructing our programme. To stop the event, they even went to Paba Police Station last night [Thursday]. I don't know what was discussed with the police. After Friday prayers, they gathered and attacked the khanqah. My followers did not let me leave the house, so they threw stones and bricks even targeting my house," he told Stream.
When asked about allegations of involvement in the vandalism at the khanqah, BNP leader Golam Mostafa said, "I was called to the police station last night, so I went. But I was not present during today's attack. Later, I heard that such an incident had occurred."
Ali Hossain, convener of the upazila BNP, said, "Golam Mostafa is an old member of the BNP. I do not know whether he carried out such an incident.
"Was there any need to vandalise the khanqah? Everyone will follow their own beliefs. Even if someone is from the BNP, no one is above accountability," he said.
When asked about the vandalism allegations, Azam Ali, ameer of Paba Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami, struck a note of sarcasm. As if our party people have no work of their own, and so they went to break down the khanqah! We are barely able to complete our own work!"
Monirul Islam, OC of Paba Police Station, said, "Many people came to the police station last night regarding the khanqah. I told everyone to remain calm. Still, due to some tension, police went to the khanqah area.
"The police were positioned a little distance away. That's when the agitated crowd carried out this act. There were so many people that a few police officers could not do anything. If any complaint is filed now, it will be addressed."
Bhandari said he will not file any complaint at the police station regarding the vandalism, rather he said, "The police were there, the DB was there, the OC himself was present. They did not protect us—so to whom should I file a complaint?
"I will not file a complaint. I follow the path of humanity. I have forgiven everyone. May Allah also forgive them. They broke it and were happy—so be it."
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