A pir (spiritual leader), Shamim Reza, also known as Jahangir, was beaten and hacked to death in Kushtia’s Daulatpur Upazila after a mob attacked his shrine following allegations of blasphemy linked to an old video. The incident took place on April 11 in Philipnagar village, where the shrine was also vandalized and set on fire.
According to local accounts, a 30-second video recorded several years earlier began circulating on social media, allegedly showing derogatory remarks about the Quran. The video spread on Friday, leading to public outrage. On Saturday, a crowd of more than a hundred people gathered nearby before marching toward the shrine .
Witnesses and video footage show the crowd entering the shrine compound, damaging buildings, and setting structures on fire. During the attack, Shamim Reza was beaten and hacked, despite the presence of police. Several others inside the shrine were injured, while some managed to flee.
Police stated that although they attempted to rescue him, they were outnumbered and unable to control the mob. He later died from excessive blood loss, according to hospital officials. His body has been sent to Kushtia General Hospital morgue, and preparations are underway to file a murder case.
Shamim Reza had previously come into public attention in 2021 following controversy over practices at his shrine and was arrested that year on blasphemy-related allegations before later returning. He had established his own darbar in his village around 2018.
Following the incident, multiple political and cultural organizations issued statements demanding the arrest and prosecution of those involved. Authorities said the situation remains under control, with law enforcement deployed in the area.
Source: Prothom Alo
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