Ahead of the high-stakes general election on Thursday, the streets of Bangladesh witnessed fresh violence. Over 40 people, including women, were injured in the clashes between workers of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami that broke out on Sunday night.
The violence broke out after BNP workers accused Jamaat-e-Islami of distributing cash to attendees at a late-night programme. BNP activists protested by arriving at the venue, following which the Jamaat mobilised its own supporters.
Since the announcement of the elections, over five people have been injured in campaign-related violence across Bangladesh. The Hindu minorities in the country are also under fear as the election day is nearing. Since the downfall of the Sheikh Hasina government, targeted attacks have taken place against Hindus in the country.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a group representing minority communities, says it documented more than 2,000 incidents of communal violence since the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina in a mass uprising in August 2024.
The attack on Hindus also caused tensions with neighbouring India. India’s Foreign Ministry recently accused Bangladesh of downplaying a “disturbing pattern of recurring attacks” on Hindus.
Election on February 12
Around 170 million people are preparing for its first election since the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government. The 15-year rule came to an end, banning the Awami League from contesting as well. The Muhammed Yunus-led interim government has warned against the circulation of disinformation.
Yunus said that there had been a “flood of misinformation surrounding the elections.”
Bangladesh’s economic recovery hinges on the election outcome, as the nation seeks to stabilise key industries and manage large-scale loans from global institutions like the World Bank following a period of intense unrest.
Regional geopolitics are also set for a recalibration. With China gaining ground following the departure of the pro-India Hasina, the future balance of power remains uncertain. A BNP victory is seen by some as a win for Indian interests, whereas a Jamaat-led administration might lean toward Pakistan—despite the party’s claims of neutrality.
High-stakes Bangladesh election marred by clashes and fears for Hindu minorities
