The Bangladesh Dargah Mazar National Coordination Committee has congratulated newly appointed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and members of the cabinet, expressing hope that the government will work to restore religious tolerance and promote the country’s Sufi heritage.
In a statement today (18 February) Central Chairman Alhaj Shah Mohammad Touhidul Qader Chowdhury said the victory of the BNP-led alliance represents not merely a change in power, but a public mandate against authoritarian tendencies.
He alleged that in recent years freedom of expression and religious practices faced interference, but said voters had responded through the ballot and expressed optimism that the new administration would restore democracy and nurture Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of non-communal Sufism.
The committee called for justice and religious harmony, noting that appointing Maududi- or Ahl-e-Hadith-aligned individuals to manage shrines creates a conflict of interest and has led to restrictions on Sufi cultural expression.
The committee demanded immediate changes to policy-making bodies overseeing shrines across the country, including in Dhaka, and called for the appointment of scholars and administrators who respect Sufi traditions.
The committee also expressed concern over a rise in arrests of Sufi practitioners, Baul singers, and shrine devotees—often under religious or cyber security allegations—emphasizing that these cultural practices, recognized by Unesco, have at times been targeted due to pressure from extremist groups.
While acknowledging that differences of opinion may exist, the committee said imprisoning individuals over ideological differences amounts to a violation of human rights.
It demanded the unconditional release of Baul and Sufi practitioners detained in what it termed false cases and urged the government to ensure legal safeguards against harassment driven by personal or ideological motives.
The organisation also pledged constructive cooperation with the new government in building a corruption-free country and achieving what it termed economic emancipation for citizens.
With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, the chairman called for maintaining peace and order nationwide and ensuring that shrines preserve a genuine spiritual environment.
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