Protest by Jamaat-e-Islami Against Brahmanbaria-3 Constituency Boundary Redelineation

Brahmanbaria, August 1, 2025: Jamaat-e-Islami staged a protest rally and gathering today, Friday, around 10:30 AM, in the Chandura area of Bijoynagar Upazila, blocking the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to oppose the recent boundary redelineation of the Brahmanbaria-3 (Sadar-Bijoynagar) constituency.

Ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election, the Election Commission (EC) published a preliminary gazette redefining the boundaries of 39 parliamentary constituencies, including two in Brahmanbaria. Previously, the Brahmanbaria-3 constituency comprised Sadar and Bijoynagar Upazilas, covering 10 unions. The new gazette has reassigned three unions of Bijoynagar—Harashpur, Chandura, and Budhanti—to the Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency. In response, four residents of Bijoynagar submitted a written appeal to the Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday, urging that these three unions remain part of Brahmanbaria-3.

The protest was led by Bijoynagar Upazila Jamaat President Lutfur Rahman, with speeches delivered by Upazila Jubo Dal General Secretary Rashtru Sarker, Chandura Union Jubo Dal President Sohag Khandaker, Chandura Hefazat-e-Islam Assistant Organizing Secretary Shihab Siddiqui, and Chandura Union Jubo Khilafat Majlis General Secretary Tanvir Ahmed, among others. The protesters blocked the highway for half an hour. Speakers at the gathering highlighted that the three affected unions account for approximately 96,000 voters, nearly half of Bijoynagar Upazila’s total voter base of over 200,000. They argued that despite being suitable for a standalone parliamentary seat, Bijoynagar has been repeatedly merged with Sadar, Sarail, or Nasirnagar constituencies, leading to its neglect. A written appeal signed by Bijoynagar residents Golam Mostafa, AKM Golam Mufti Osmani, Md. Zahiduzzaman Chowdhury, and Md. Bayezid Miah was submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner’s office on Thursday noon, demanding the retention of the three unions in Brahmanbaria-3. Bijoynagar Thana Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam stated that police were present at the scene to maintain order, and no untoward incidents occurred.

On Thursday afternoon, a similar protest was held in the same Chandura area, led by former BNP Upazila Joint General Secretary Rafiqul Islam, with participation from BNP, its affiliate organizations, and local residents. The protesters blocked the highway for about half an hour, raising slogans. Another protest rally and gathering on the same issue is scheduled for this afternoon at the same location.