Sylhet Deputy Commissioner withdrawn following controversy over shrine donation box oversight

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The Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the immediate withdrawal of Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Sarwar Alam, transferring him to the ministry as a deputy secretary. The directive, issued Sunday afternoon under the order of the President, cites public interest as the primary driver for the reassignment but offers no further details regarding the specific rationale or his successor.

Confirming his transfer to local media, Alam declined to comment on the factors leading to his sudden removal. His departure comes after a brief but contentious tenure, as he had assumed the role of Sylhet’s chief administrator only last August, following a high-profile shake-up triggered by concerns over the illegal extraction of stone from the region’s renowned “Shada Pathor” quarry.

Controversy escalated recently following Alam’s intervention in the management of the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shahparan (RA). On June 12, the former deputy commissioner visited the historic sites and announced an initiative to reform their financial oversight, specifically targeting the transparency and accountability of donation management. By the following Thursday, his office had sealed long-standing historical collection vessels and installed new donation boxes under official administrative control.

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The move sparked a polarized reaction across the region. While some welcomed the push for fiscal transparency, others—including ardent followers and custodians of the shrines—condemned the actions as an affront to centuries-old traditions. Critics argued that the forceful implementation of administrative control disregarded the sanctity and established customs of the sites, with many characterizing the intervention as disrespectful to the region’s spiritual heritage.

Prior to his appointment in Sylhet, Alam served as the private secretary to Asif Nazrul, the advisor to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. As of Sunday, authorities have yet to announce a formal replacement for the vacant DC position.