A group of Islamists in Madaripur, Bangladesh, partially cut down a century-old banyan tree claiming it was linked to “shirk” (polytheism). The act was caught on video and went viral, prompting widespread debate. Locals said people had long used the tree for prayer and vows, but some now labeled these practices as un-Islamic. Authorities intervened before the tree was fully felled.
Similar incidents have occurred recently:
In Tangail, books by authors like Rabindranath Tagore and Zafar Iqbal were removed from a library over accusations of being anti-religious.
In Kurigram, a female teacher was forced to apologize publicly for a Facebook post on hijab, with her apology broadcast live on social media.
These events follow a trend of increasing actions by groups calling themselves “Tawhidi Janata” or “angry worshipers.” Women’s sports events have also been canceled under religious pressure.
Experts are divided:
Prof. A.K.M. Khademul Haque sees these as signs of growing religious intolerance, enabled by political changes and lack of enforcement.
Maulana Sharif Muhammad argues it’s more about a culture of over-entitlement and solving issues through immediate, self-directed action, not necessarily religious extremism.
Although the government denies a rise in extremism, observers note a lack of strong response and a growing pattern of intolerance disguised as religious concern.
Main News – BBC Bangla
