Authorities in Madaripur have formed a three-member investigation committee, led by a forest officer, after a century-old banyan tree was cut down by local religious leaders who deemed the tree's veneration as 'shirk' (idolatry). The committee has been instructed to submit its report within five days. For some time, people had been lighting candles, incense sticks, and leaving offerings such as cloth and sweets at the tree’s base, believing it fulfilled wishes. On Monday, religious leaders felled the tree, citing its use in non-Islamic practices as justification.