Bangladesh: 45 Shrines Attacked and Vandalised Amid Rising Tensions

A surge of violence has targeted religious shrines across Bangladesh, with 45 sites attacked in a wave of unrest. The Dewanbag Mazar in Narayanganj was among the most affected, where it was looted, vandalised, and set ablaze, injuring at least four people. The attacks appear to reflect growing tensions between groups opposed to shrine practices, with several incidents reported in various districts, including the destruction of Aynal Shah Dargah. Authorities have launched investigations, though the perpetrators remain unidentified, sparking public concerns about rising sectarian violence.

The targeting of these shrines is part of a broader trend of religious intolerance that has sparked significant worry among community leaders and authorities alike. The police have yet to make any major arrests in connection with the incidents, although they are continuing efforts to identify those responsible. The attacks have been condemned by various groups across the country, calling for increased security measures and a halt to the growing unrest.

Dewanbag Mazar was specifically targeted in the early morning hours. Witnesses describe a coordinated assault, with attackers setting fire to the shrine after looting its premises. As people inside the shrine tried to defend it, they were beaten by the intruders. Although emergency services arrived to contain the situation, the shrine was attacked again later that afternoon. This is one of several similar incidents in Narayanganj, where religious tensions have heightened.

Local officials have been swift in their response, visiting affected areas and attempting to reassure the public of their commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. However, the broader implications of these attacks, which are seen by many as a worrying indicator of deepening sectarian divisions in the country, remain a subject of ongoing concern.