Bangladesh: Hindu Candidate Contests Hasina's Seat Amid Rising Minority Attacks

• Advocate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote will contest Sheikh Hasina's former Gopalganj-3 seat as an independent.
• His candidacy emerges amidst a surge in violence against minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sufis, and Ahmadiyya Muslims, in Bangladesh.
• Pramanik aims to be a "neutral person," representing ordinary people free from party discipline, with nominations due December 28.
• Minority leaders cite inadequate investigations and lack of justice under Muhammad Yunus's interim government, fueling widespread fear.
• The recent lynching of Dipu Chandra Das and the banning of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League from the Feb 2026 polls highlight ongoing tensions.

Why It Matters: A Hindu candidate challenges a key seat in Bangladesh amid escalating minority attacks and political turmoil.