'Life Or Death Calculation': Bangladesh's Hindu Voters Face Pre-Poll Intimidation | Exclusive

Last Updated:February 10, 2026, 18:55 IST

Minority voters in high-density Hindu pockets allege that a campaign of psychological warfare and selective violence is being waged to silence their participation

Hindu families across Bangladesh are reporting systemic coercion and voter suppression ahead of the critical February 12 national elections, CNN-News18 has learnt. Minority voters in high-density Hindu pockets allege that a campaign of psychological warfare and selective violence is being waged to silence their participation, turning the fundamental act of voting into what many describe as a “life or death calculation".

The Shadow of Intimidation

Local activists, frequently linked to the radical Jamaat-e-Islami, have reportedly moved beyond subtle pressure to overt threats. Residents in affected areas describe a chilling protocol of “marking" homes and preparing “lists" of those intended to vote.

Direct Warnings: Families report being told to “support our candidate or prepare to leave your homes".

Marking Territory: Radical cadres are reportedly spreading threats through temples, markets, and school lanes to ensure the message of exclusion is pervasive.

Psychological Warfare: Even in the absence of active clashes, the climate of fear is assessed as sufficient to keep high-risk demographics indoors on polling day.

Soft Targets in a Polarised Race

The recent wave of pre-poll violence, including street clashes between the Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) and Jamaat cadres, has left dozens injured and the minority community feeling increasingly exposed.

The ‘Awami’ Label: Many Hindu voters say they are being branded as automatic supporters of the ousted Awami League, making them convenient scapegoats for Islamist groups.

Strategic Suppression: Intelligence sources suggest a structured strategy by radical elements to suppress the minority vote. By targeting specific localities, these groups aim to alter constituency-level outcomes without triggering the kind of large-scale violence that would invite international intervention.

Regional Stakes and Human Rights Alarms

Human rights bodies have sounded urgent alarms, noting that the pressure on Hindus is often collateral to a larger contest between the ruling interim establishment and resurgent Islamist forces.

“Projecting minorities as regime-aligned gives Islamist groups a perceived justification for coercion, while they simultaneously avoid direct confrontation with state security forces until after the polls," said a top intelligence source.

The implications of this suppression extend beyond Bangladesh’s borders. Any post-election targeting of Hindus could inflame regional narratives, fuel anxieties regarding refugee influxes, and severely complicate the delicate diplomatic ties between India and the interim government in Dhaka.

News world 'Life Or Death Calculation': Bangladesh's Hindu Voters Face Pre-Poll Intimidation | Exclusive

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