Dhaka [Bangladesh], January 5 (HBTV): Hindu leader Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Secretary-General of a faction of the Bangladesh National Hindu Mahajot, on Sunday said he would challenge the Election Commission’s decision to cancel his nomination paper for the upcoming elections.
Pramanik had submitted his nomination to contest from the Gopalganj-3 constituency, a key electoral seat previously represented by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, the Bangladesh Election Commission invalidated his nomination after finding discrepancies during the verification process.
According to election rules, independent candidates contesting from the constituency are required to submit a consent letter signed by at least 3,086 voters. During scrutiny, officials found that several signatures could not be verified, leading to the rejection of Pramanik’s nomination paper.
‘I will appeal against this decision by the Election Commission,’ Pramanik told ANI, expressing confidence that the issue could be resolved through due process.
The development comes amid heightened concerns over the security of the Hindu community in Bangladesh. In recent weeks, reports have highlighted attacks and growing insecurity faced by minority groups across the country.
A recent incident that drew national attention involved Khokon Das, a Hindu man who succumbed to severe injuries after being set on fire on New Year’s Eve. According to officials, the attackers allegedly assaulted him with sharp weapons, poured petrol on his body and set him ablaze.
In an attempt to escape, Das jumped into a nearby pond beside the road. Local residents, alerted by his screams, rushed to the spot, causing the attackers to flee. Das was initially taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital for emergency treatment and later referred to Dhaka as his condition worsened. He later died from his injuries.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s elite force, the Rapid Action Battalion, has arrested three main accused in the case. According to information provided by RAB-8 and the Intelligence Wing in Dhaka, a team from RAB-14, CPC-2, Kishoreganj Camp, led by Company Commander ASP Shahjahan, conducted an operation around 1:00 am on Saturday night and arrested the suspects Sohag, Rabbi and Palash from the Bajitpur area of Kishoreganj.
Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Rawnak Jahan said that before his death, Khokon Das had named the accused.
(ANI)