Pre-Poll Violence In Bangladesh: Hindu Female Officer Intimidated, Branded 'Indian Agent'

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 18:57 IST

Ataur Rahman and Annpurna Debnath faced harassment in separate incidents as Bangladesh’s pre-poll climate grows tense.

Annapurna Debnath faced alleged intimidation following her role in rejecting a Jamaat-backed candidate’s nomination. (IMAGE: X/@ItzBDHindus)

Fresh incidents of intimidation and harassment involving an independent opposition candidate and a Hindu administrative officer have raised concerns over Bangladesh’s political climate ahead of the upcoming general elections.

In one incident, Ataur Rahman, an independent candidate in the Manikganj-3 constituency and a leader of the Bangladesh ist Party (BNP), alleged that he was physically harassed inside the office of the returning officer after his nomination was declared invalid.

According to a report by Prothom Alo, Ataur Rahman said he was pushed out of the returning officer’s chamber after objecting to the acceptance of the BNP-backed candidate’s nomination. In a written complaint submitted to the district administration, he alleged that local BNP leaders threatened and humiliated him when he raised objections related to pending cases and utility dues linked to the party nominee.

Videos purportedly showing the incident have since gone viral on social media. News18 has not independently verified the authenticity of both the videos circulating on social media.

Rahman said the incident reflected the erosion of a free and fair electoral process and warned that failure to act could embolden further violence by political workers. BNP leaders named in the complaint have denied the allegations, claiming Rahman was asked to leave after making derogatory remarks.

Separately, a Hindu district administrator was allegedly targeted by Islamist activists following a decision to cancel the nomination of a Jamaat-backed candidate.

“ISKCON agent"

Investigative journalist and author Sahidul Hasan Khokon said that after the nomination of Jamaat candidate Barrister Mahbubul Alam Salehi for the Kurigram-3 constituency was rejected due to legal complications, activists branded the district administrator, Annapurna Debnath, an “Indian agent" and an “ISKCON agent".

According to Khokon, the administrator was surrounded, verbally abused and demands were raised for her transfer, highlighting what he described as growing hostility towards Hindu officials performing constitutional duties. Clips related to the incident have also circulated widely online, drawing sharp reactions.

According to Prothom Alo, the nomination of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mahbubul Alam Salehi for the Kurigram-3 (Ulipur) constituency was cancelled by the district returning officer due to unresolved dual citizenship issues. Officials said Salehi failed to submit documentary proof of relinquishing his British citizenship within the stipulated time, leading to the rejection of his nomination.

In another case, a prominent Hindu leader and lawyer Govind Chandra Pramanik was barred from contesting the elections after the Election Commission cancelled his nomination from the Gopalganj-3 constituency. Pramanik, general secretary of the Jatiya Hindu Mahajot, alleged political pressure and said supporters who had signed his nomination papers were forced to withdraw.

Jatiya Hindu Mahajot Leader Barred

Pramanik told broadcaster India Today that he will challenge the decision before the Election Commission and the courts, calling the move part of a broader pattern of marginalisation of Hindu political representation.

Bangladesh is scheduled to hold its general elections on February 12, with the contest primarily involving the ruling Awami League, the opposition BNP and Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami. The run-up to the polls has been marked by sharp political polarisation, allegations of administrative bias, incidents of intimidation and a spate of attacks on minorities.

News world Pre-Poll Violence In Bangladesh: Hindu Female Officer Intimidated, Branded 'Indian Agent'

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