UNB, Kushtia:: A man was beaten to death by an angry mob in Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia on Saturday following allegations of making objectionable remarks about the Holy Quran.
The deceased was identified as Shamim Reza, 52, also known as Jahangir, a resident of Philipnagar area.
Locals claimed Shamim, who ran a Darbar Sharif in the area, had recently made derogatory comments about the Quran to his followers. A video of his statement that went viral on social media triggered outrage among local residents.
Around 1pm, hundreds of people surrounded his Darbar in Philipnagar and launched an attack. They vandalised the premises and set fire to several rooms.
Shamim and at least two of his followers were critically injured in the attack.
Police and fire service personnel rescued them around 3pm and took them to Daulatpur Upazila Health Complex, where Shamim died around 3:20pm while undergoing treatment.
The injured are currently receiving treatment.
Locals alleged that Shamim had been preaching unconventional beliefs for several years, including denying basic Islamic practices and introducing controversial rituals, which had sparked tension in the area.
They also claimed that he identified himself as a follower of ‘Qalanda Baba Jahangir Sureshwari’ and had previously drawn criticism for his activities.
Police said a case had been filed against him in 2021 on charges including hurting religious sentiments, and he was jailed at the time.
Following the incident, law enforcers were deployed in the area to maintain order as thousands of people gathered near the Darbar.
Arifur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Daulatpur Police Station, said the situation is now under control.
“The body has been sent to Kushtia General Hospital for autopsy. Additional police have been deployed to avoid any untoward situation,” he said.
