Two held for shaving fakir’s hair in M’singh

Police on Tuesday arrested two men in Mymensingh city for their involvement in forcibly shaving the hair and beard of 70-year-old Halim Uddin Akand just before Eid-ul-Azha this year.

The arrestees, Muzlu Mia, 50, and Sujon Mia, 32, of Kashiganj area in Tarakanda upazila, were named in the FIR. They were produced before a Mymensingh court yesterday noon, said OC Tipu Sultan of Tarakanda Police Station.

They confessed to their involvement in the incident, the OC said, adding that drives are underway to arrest the remaining accused.

On September 27, Halim's son filed a case with the police station accusing 12 people, including seven named suspects.

Halim Uddin, locally known as Halim Fakir, was humiliated by a group of so-called social workers at Kashiganj Bazar in Tarakanda.

A video of the incident triggered nationwide outrage and condemnation. It shows Halim walking down a road when three men in grey vests chase him, drag him aside, and pin him down. As he struggles and cries out, "Allah, Tui Dehis!" (O Allah, You are witness!), they shave off his hair and beard.

Halim had been keeping his matted hair for 37 years. Once a farmer, he now leads a quiet spiritual life.