Attack on ‘Nural Pagla’s’ Shrine: Mob Desecrates Grave, Sets Body Ablaze in Rajbari*

In a shocking incident in Goaland, Rajbari, a mob exhumed and burned the body of Nurul Haque, alias ‘Nural Pagla,’ who claimed to be the ‘Imam Mahdi.’ The attack took place on Friday (September 5) afternoon after Jumu’ah prayers in Jurain Mollapara, Ward 5 of Goaland Municipality, as confirmed by Goaland Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Nahidur Rahman.

Eyewitnesses reported that a group identifying as ‘Tawhidi Janata’ organized the assault on Nural Pagla’s Darbar Sharif and residence, engaging in widespread vandalism and arson. At least 50 people, primarily devotees of the shrine, were injured during the attack. The mob also damaged the UNO’s vehicle and two police vehicles. The situation was later brought under control with the deployment of the army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The unrest stemmed from controversy surrounding Nural Pagla’s burial. Following his recent death in a Dhaka hospital, his body was buried at the Darbar Sharif on an elevated platform designed to resemble the Kaaba. This sparked outrage among locals, fueling tensions over the past few days. The local administration attempted to resolve the issue peacefully by forming a committee and engaging both sides in discussions, giving the family until Thursday to address the concerns. However, after Friday’s Jumu’ah prayers, the Tawhidi Janata gathered at the Shahid Mahiuddin Ansar Club, held a protest, and subsequently launched the attack. In the first wave of the assault, the mob vandalized the shrine. In a second attack, they returned to the residence, dug up Nural Pagla’s body from his grave, and set it ablaze at a nearby highway intersection. The mob claimed that Nural Pagla had declared himself ‘Imam Mahdi’ and even ‘God,’ actions they deemed contrary to Sharia. They stated that burning the body was a means to “end his deception.” Nurul Haque’s son, Mehedi Nur Jilani, had previously told the media, “My father was buried according to Sharia and his will, on a platform about 3-4 feet high, not 12 feet.” He alleged that false propaganda was being spread against them. Rajbari’s Superintendent of Police, Kamrul Islam, confirmed that after Jumu’ah prayers, a section of the Tawhidi Janata attacked police with local weapons, vandalized vehicles, and set fire to the shrine and residence. The situation is now under control.

In the 1980s, Nurul Haque gained notoriety by claiming to be the ‘Imam Mahdi.’ Although he left the area under pressure, he later returned with followers and established the Darbar Sharif.