In a development that has intensified concerns about the political participation of minorities in Bangladesh, the nomination of a prominent Hindu candidate, Gobindadeb Pramanik, was rejected on Saturday. This comes against a backdrop of rising apprehensions in India regarding the treatment of minorities in the neighbouring country.
Nomination Rejected Over Signature Dispute
Gobindadeb Pramanik, the general secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mahajote, sought to contest as an Independent candidate from the Gopalganj-3 constituency in the upcoming February 12 polls. This seat, previously held by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is significant as it comprises over 50% Hindu voters out of approximately 3 lakh electors.
Pramanik told media that the returning officer invoked a provision in Bangladesh's electoral laws that mandates an Independent candidate to submit affidavits with signatures from 1% of the constituency's voters. He claimed he had successfully gathered the required support. However, he alleged that workers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) later threatened those who had signed in his favour, pressuring them to retract their support before the returning officer.
"After I managed to secure 1% signatures, BNP workers threatened those who signed for me with dire consequences," Pramanik stated. "They were asked to appear before the returning officer and declare that their signatures were not taken or were wrongly submitted." Consequently, the returning officer rejected his nomination on the grounds of having 'invalid' signatures.
A Pattern of Hurdles for Hindu Candidates
Pramanik's case is not isolated. Another Hindu candidate, Dulal Biswas, who was fielded by the registered political party Gono Forum, also saw his papers initially turned back. While the 1% affidavit rule did not apply to him as a party candidate, his application was stalled due to purported documentation issues, though he was given a chance to resubmit.
Meanwhile, in the nearby Gopalganj-2 constituency, Independent Hindu candidate Utpal Biswas remains in the electoral fray. This seat was once represented by Sheikh Hasina's cousin, Sheikh Salim. Expressing hope in his grassroots connection, Biswas said, "I work among the farmers and the downtrodden. I expect that they will vote for me."
Political Implications and Next Steps
Pramanik explained his decision to run as an Independent, citing substantial local support. He pointedly suggested that the BNP resorted to such tactics because it "does not stand a chance" in a constituency with a Hindu-majority electorate. The Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mahajote, an alliance of 23 outfits, is considered an apolitical organisation and a fountainhead of Hindutva ideology in the country.
Determined to challenge the decision, Pramanik announced his plan to seek legal recourse. "Although the signatures of 1% of my voters were correct, the district returning officer did not accept the affidavits," he asserted. "I shall file an appeal before the election commission and may even move the High Court after that."
This incident has cast a spotlight on the electoral process in Bangladesh and the challenges faced by minority community candidates, potentially influencing voter sentiment and international observation of the forthcoming general elections.
