In a stark counterpoint to the strides Bangladeshi women have made in education, careers, and public life, lies the story of nine villages in Chandpur, where a decades-old superstition continues to silence their voices at the ballot box.
For over 52 years, women of all religions, including Hindus and Muslims, in these villages have refrained from voting, bound by a purported fatwa issued by a Pir (religious leader) from neighbouring India.
This supposed religious edict, stemming from a cholera outbreak in the 1970s, has morphed into a deeply ingrained belief, preventing generations of women from exercising their fundamental right.
Even many women in these villages believe that they do not have the right to vote.
The irony is palpable. These women, actively contributing to their communities as farmers, entrepreneurs and professionals, find themselves disempowered at the very place where their voices could shape their own destinies.
How it started
The prevailing superstition preventing women from exercising their right to vote has its roots in a fatwa issued in 1971.
The self-proclaimed Pir from Jainpur, India, established a Khanka Sharif (house of a religious leader) in Rupsa South Union number 16 of Faridganj Upazila during an epidemic of cholera in the region.
At that critical juncture, the Pir proclaimed a fatwa, advising women not to leave their homes without fully covering themselves.
This fatwa, born out of the challenging circumstances of the time, laid the foundation for a long-standing belief that has persisted for over 52 years.
Not only Muslims, but also the Hindu-Christian women of the area refrained from voting even though the Pir gave that fatwa to the Muslim women.
No improvement despite efforts
The local elections officials and public representatives have expressed their efforts to break this superstition, organizing awareness meetings to encourage women to vote.
Despite their attempts, the women of these villages, including Sahebganj, Girdkalindiya, and Charmandari, have not been able to overcome this mindset.
According to upazila election office sources, there are 24,454 voters in Rupsa South union. Of them, 12,114 are women.
Khuki Begum, a member of Rupsa South Union Parishad, said: "During the UP elections, we went door to door and encouraged women to vote, we tried our best. Still most women did not turn up at the polling centres.”
She said these women cite concerns about diseases and potential dangers in the village if they disobey the Pir's orders. “All the women go to market and work in offices and the court. But they never vote.”
Chairman Sharif Hossain echoed her views, saying that this superstition has persisted for decades.
He said that despite ongoing awareness meetings, the situation remains unchanged on the day of polling.
The district and upazila administration, along with the election office, continue to make efforts to motivate women to vote, but the deeply ingrained superstition poses a significant challenge.
What the women say
Maryam Begum, a local resident in Rupsha union, said: "Men vote for us here, but women do not. We do not vote following the instructions of Jainpur Huzur. I will not go to the centre this time either.”
Local residents like Nandita Rani and Minu Rani echoed the sentiment of not voting due to the instructions of Jainpur Pir, emphasizing their obedience to the God.
Nandita Rani, a voter of Sahebganj village of Rupsa union, said: "We don't have a vote."
She explained: “You have to obey the Lord. It does not matter that we are Hindus, the Lord is the same for all. We never vote as per instructions from Jainpur Huzur.”
Minu Rani of the same village said: “I have been living in this village for 20 years. I did not go to vote even once because Huzur forbade me. Once a woman got diarrhoea after voting. That's why other women don't dare to vote. Even if the chairman-member says, we will not go to vote.”
However, there is a glimmer of hope as young voters like Khadija Akhtar express their determination to vote, recognizing it as their right.
"Most women do not go to vote. But many girls from our generation are going to vote this time. Voting is our right. I also voted in the last UP elections. But women should cover themselves with veils when going to vote,” she added.
What the authorities say
Rupsa South Union Parishad Secretary Rabeya Bashari acknowledged the contradiction between women participating in various activities and their reluctance to vote due to superstition.
“In the last elections, the local administration held awareness meetings. But women did not come to vote. We try to encourage the women who come here to seek services about voting, but it does not work,” she added.
Tofail Hossain, Chandpur district election officer, said: "We have held awareness meetings to encourage women voters of that union to vote. Hundreds of women voters were present in the meeting. I encouraged them to vote in the upcoming election. They assured us that they will vote. I hope that this time women will go to the centre to vote.”
Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan said: "The participation of women is necessary to advance the progress of the country. All those who came to our meeting raised their hands and promised us that this time they will go to the centre to exercise their franchise.”
