Minority Communities Voiceless in General Election Manifestos

As Bangladesh approaches the 13th Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 12 February 2026, religious and ethnic minority groups have voiced profound disappointment over their perceived exclusion from the political discourse. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) issued a scathing statement this Saturday, asserting that the electoral manifestos of the major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have fundamentally ignored the rights, security, and interests of the country's minority populations.

A "Callous Disregard" for Human Rights

The statement, released by the council’s acting General Secretary, Monindra Kumar Nath, expressed a sense of betrayal. The BHBCUC argues that the "callous neglect" shown by political coalitions poses a significant threat to the future existence of minorities in Bangladesh. They warned that if this marginalisation reflects in the upcoming voter turnout or sentiment, the blame should lie solely with the political leadership rather than the communities themselves.

Key Grievances and Critical Concerns

The council highlighted several specific areas where political promises have fallen short of the community's lived reality:

The Al Jazeera Controversy

A central point of contention in the council’s statement involves a recent interview given by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera. In the interview, Mr Alamgir reportedly characterised communal violence against minorities as a "purely political issue" rather than a religious or ethnic one.

The BHBCUC has reacted with "grave indignation" to these remarks, accusing the BNP leadership of attempting to downplay and trivialise the suffering of minority groups. By reframing targeted violence as mere political fallout, the council argues that the parties are abdicating their responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens from extremist elements.

The Looming Electoral Challenge

With the election just days away, the atmosphere in minority-heavy districts remains tense. While political parties have offered verbal "guarantees of safety" during their campaign trails, the council maintains that these "empty slogans" do nothing to address the structural inequalities and the threat of post-poll reprisals.

The BHBCUC’s statement serves as a stark reminder that for nearly 10% of the population, the 2026 election is not merely about a change in government, but a litmus test for their very survival and dignity in a "New Bangladesh."