DC Sarwar unlocks historical cauldrons at Shahjalal Shrine, begins donation count

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarwar Alam has unlocked the three historical donation cauldrons (deg) at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.), which had been sealed by the district administration. Concurrently, the newly installed official donation boxes were opened around 3pm to begin counting the funds accumulated over the past five days on Monday.

According to district administration sources, Sarwar Alam was personally present at the shrine to supervise the process of unsealing the cauldrons and initiating the financial tally from the new donation boxes.

The development follows an administrative action last Thursday afternoon (June 18) when the district administration sealed the shrine’s three traditional donation cauldrons and replaced them with government-managed donation boxes. The installation was carried out in the presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner Masud Rana, and Ansar members were deployed to secure the site.

The initial intervention stemmed from a visit by Sarwar Alam to the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Hazrat Shahporan (R.) on Friday (June 12) where he announced measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the shrines' financial management. Consequently, the historical cauldrons and old donation boxes were sealed to streamline the collection process and eliminate hand-to-hand donations, directing all offerings into government-supervised boxes instead.

However, the move triggered immediate backlash. Around 8:30pm on the night of the installation, shrine followers gathered on the premises to protest, chanting slogans. Khadems (custodians) and devotees criticized the action as an unwarranted interference in the long-standing traditions and internal management of the shrine. Organizations like 'Ashekane Awlia Bangladesh' strongly condemned the move, labeling the DC unsuccessful.

Amid the growing controversy, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Sunday, withdrawing Sarwar Alam from his post as DC and attaching him to the ministry as a Deputy Secretary. While the official order did not specify a reason for the transfer, sources suggest the decision was heavily influenced by the severe public criticism and unrest surrounding the district administration's intervention at the shrine.