55-Year-Old Spiritual Leader Beaten To Death In Bangladesh, Shrine Set On Fire

Last Updated:April 11, 2026, 23:39 IST

Mob kills spiritual leader Shamim Reza in Bangladesh after old video with alleged anti-Islam remarks resurfaces, shrine burned, police deploy forces amid rising religious violence.

A self-proclaimed 55-year-old spiritual leader was beaten to death by a mob in Bangladesh on Saturday, in the latest incident of violence fueled by religious tensions in the country.

The incident reportedly took place at around 2:30 pm in Philipnagar village of Philipnagar union in Daulatpur upazila.

The deceased identified as Shamim Reza, also known as Jahangir, had completed his studies in Dhaka and worked as a teacher before returning to his village, where he set up a shrine.

Prothom Alo quoted Kushtia Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jashim Uddin saying that a video of the man making controversial remarks about Islam had spread on social media. Though the video was recorded long ago, it resurfaced leading to the locals attacking Jahangir’s shrine and him.

According to BD News24, the assailants hacked and beat Shamim indiscriminately while also carrying out extensive vandalism and arson on the premises.

Daulatpur Police chief Ariful Islam said: “We believe the video is old. After seeing it, a group of people and aggrieved locals attacked the shrine, set it on fire, and vandalised it. Shamim Reza was killed in the attack."

The police chief further said, “The situation in the area is now calm. A large number of law enforcement personnel have been deployed. We are investigating who brought the old video back into circulation. I am heading to the area myself and will reach there shortly."

This comes as the minorities in Bangladesh continue to witness a surge in violence.

In January, a man, identified as Joy Mahapatro, was allegedly beaten and later poisoned by a local Muslim, named Amirul Islam, according to the family.

According to data released by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, at least 51 such incidents of violence were reported in December.

News world 55-Year-Old Spiritual Leader Beaten To Death In Bangladesh, Shrine Set On Fire

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