Hindu community demands deferment during Durga Puja
Hindu community of Rangpur Sadar upazila observed a daylong token hunger strike yesterday, demanding that the Election Commission defer the date of Rangpur-3 by-election, as the announced date of polls falls on the day of Maha Saptami.
The election is scheduled for October 5, while the five-daylong Durga Puja festivities should begin on October 4.
Rangpur unit of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad organised the event at Rangpur Press Club.
Sushanta Bhowmik, vice president of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad’s Rangpur unit and joint general secretary of the city’s Puja Udjapan Parishad, said they organised the token hunger strike as the Election Commission remained rigid in its decision. Under the banner of the Parishad, a human chain was formed and a letter was handed over to local election office urging the commission to defer the election, but to no effect, he said.
There are 70,000 Hindus in Rangpur Sadar upazila. Several hundred of them joined the rally.
Speakers there said if the by-election coincides with Saptami, Hindu people will face difficulty in casting votes, and there will be a risk of chaos in the polls.
Comments