Meghna Alam, also crowned Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was detained from her residence in Dhaka on April 9, 2025, and transferred to Kashimpur Jail following a closed-door court hearing on April 10. Her 30-day preventive detention was ordered under the Special Powers Act, based on vague allegations that she was spreading misinformation and threatening diplomatic relations.
The rise in violence against Sufi shrines is not an isolated phenomenon but a reflection of broader ideological and political struggles. Bangladesh’s Sufi heritage, which champions inclusivity and coexistence, stands in stark contrast to the rigid ideologies of extremist groups that see such traditions as anathema. With political power in flux and ideological tensions high, these spiritual spaces have become vulnerable targets.
JMBF asserts that the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees freedom of speech, cultural diversity, and the right to peaceful assembly. However, the blatant disregard for these rights, as seen in these incidents, represents a direct attack on the nation's democratic values. The forced shutdowns of these events, often under threats of violence and pressure from extremist groups, reveal a dangerous shift toward intolerance, eroding the artistic and intellectual freedom that has long defined Bangladesh's rich cultural landscape.
