“Being a ‘malayun’, why’d you vote for sheaf of paddy?”: Voter beaten in Khulna

The tension and rhetoric surrounding election day took a troubling turn in Khulna’s Phultala area when an alleged assault on a voter sparked fresh concerns about political violence and sectarian language during the polls.

Sanjay Saha, a resident of the Khulna-5 constituency, is now receiving treatment at Phultala Health Complex after he said he was attacked while leaving Dakshinpara Government Primary School polling centre on Thursday afternoon. 

According to his account, the incident unfolded shortly after he cast his ballot.

Sanjay alleged that a man identified as Shamsul Islam Sagar confronted him outside the centre, questioning his voting choice using a derogatory religious slur. “He branded me a ‘malayun’ and asked why someone like me would vote for the sheaf of paddy,” Sanjay claimed, adding that he was then punched in the eye before bystanders intervened and the attacker left the scene.

The alleged use of sectarian language has drawn attention to the fragile intersection of identity and electoral competition in some areas. 

Although election day across much of the country was marked by festive scenes, isolated incidents like this have highlighted underlying tensions that surface during heated political contests.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Sanjay said he had not yet filed a formal complaint but had shared details with visiting DB police officers. He also expressed fears for his safety after the polls, saying he was living with a sense of insecurity and wanted justice for the attack. He added that he did not know which political group the accused belonged to.

Phultala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mustafa Kamal confirmed that officers visited the health complex after learning about the incident and encouraged the victim to submit a written complaint so that legal steps could be taken.

Attempts to reach Phultala Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Suchi Rani Saha for comment were unsuccessful despite repeated calls.

As voting day narratives continue to unfold, the alleged assault has become another reminder of how political rivalry can sometimes blur into communal undertones, raising questions about voter safety and the tone of public discourse during elections.