An elderly man in Mymensingh’s Tarakanda upazila was forcibly shaved in public, sparking outrage and condemnation. The victim, Halim Uddin Akand (70)—popularly known as Halim Fakir in his village of Kodalia—was attacked by a group of men who cut his decades-old matted hair and beard against his will.

Eyewitness video shows three men, dressed in traditional attire, restraining the fakir in a crowded marketplace and forcibly cutting his hair. Despite his desperate attempts to break free, he was overpowered.

“They dragged me out, pinned me down, and eight to ten of them shaved my hair with a machine. I fainted,” Halim recounted in tears. “I am not insane. I am a fakir. I practice herbal healing. My hair was nearly 30 years old, untouched since visiting the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal in Sylhet.”

Deeply humiliated, Halim said he has been unable to work since the assault. “They thought I was mad, but I am not. I leave their punishment to Allah.”

Local police chief Tipu Sultan confirmed that authorities have spoken with Halim’s family. “If a complaint is filed, those responsible will be arrested,” he assured.