A heated altercation broke out between independent candidate Rumeen Farhana and an executive magistrate during an election meeting in Sarail on Saturday afternoon. The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, resulted in a fine for an associate of the candidate for violating the electoral code of conduct.
The confrontation occurred at Islamabad (Gugd) village in Noagaon Union under the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency (Sarail-Ashuganj-part of Bijoynagar). Witnesses reported that while Rumin Farhana was addressing an informal meeting (Uthan Boithok), Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahriar Hasan Khan arrived at the scene with a police detail to enforce election regulations.
“This is the Last Time”
The leaked footage shows a visibly agitated Rumeen Farhana confronting the magistrate. Pointing her finger, she was heard saying:
“I am telling you politely today. Next time, I will not show such courtesy. I am warning you, this is the last time.”
During the exchange, a person accompanying her gestured with his thumb, claiming that other candidates “show the thumb” (a sign of defiance or mockery) to the administration without consequence. Rumeen Farhana echoed this sentiment, raising her own thumb to the magistrate and saying, “This is how they treat you. You sit in the administration, go find out. If I don’t give the word, you won’t be able to leave this place.”
When Magistrate Shahriar Hasan Khan maintained that his team must intervene whenever the code of conduct is breached, Rumeen Farhana retorted that violations were happening everywhere while the administration remained idle.
Fines and Allegations of Bias
Following the incident, the mobile court slapped a fine of 40,000 BDT on Jewel Mia, a follower of Rumeen Farhana, for violating electoral rules. The fine was paid on the spot.
Speaking to the media, Rumeen Farhana alleged that the administration is practicing “selective enforcement” of the law. She claimed:
- Opposing alliance candidates are using massive sound systems and stages daily without interference.
- She has faced personal attacks, including being called a “dancer” and “tissue paper” by local rivals.
- The administration is disrupting her small meetings despite her using only a single hand-mic and no stage.
Administration’s Stance
Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Abu Bakar Sarkar dismissed the allegations of bias, stating, “The law is equal for everyone. We penalized her because the code of conduct was violated. If she has specific grievances, she is welcome to lodge a formal complaint.”
Political Context
Rumeen Farhana, a former Member of Parliament from a reserved seat and the former International Affairs Assistant Secretary of the BNP, is contesting the Brahmanbaria-2 seat as an independent. Her decision came after the BNP-led alliance nominated Maulana Junaid Al Habib for the seat. Consequently, the BNP expelled her on December 30 for violating party discipline.
