Why debate over party symbols of water lily and sheaf of paddy?

Before the 10th National Parliamentary Election held in 2014, in October 2013, the Bangladesh Nationalist Front–BNF, which was seeking registration with the Election Commission, applied for the symbol of ‘sheaf of wheat’. BNP opposed this, saying that the sheaf of wheat and the sheaf of paddy look similar. Therefore, voters for the sheaf of paddy might mistakenly vote for the sheaf of wheat. The reverse could also happen. In this reality, BNF applied for the ‘paddy plant’ symbol instead of the sheaf of wheat. However, they were not given either ‘sheaf of wheat’ or ‘paddy plant’; instead, they were told to keep their eyes on the television screen! That is, BNF was given the symbol of a television. On 18 November 2013, they were registered with the Election Commission. Their registration number is 42. However, on 16 February 2023, the newly registered Trinamool BNP was given the symbol of golden fibre.

Why are political parties in Bangladesh so interested in rice, wheat, or such food-based items as their party symbols, or why are they so ‘food conscious’—I made a post like this on Facebook in 2013. At that time, a notable person who is now the head of a reform commission wrote under my post: ‘You are absolutely right—food conscious; because the issue is all about eating and drinking. I mean politics is just for eating and drinking by any means. Isn’t it?’

The symbol of ‘Pallibandhu’ Ershad’s Jatiya Party is also a plough, which plays a crucial role in food production. Although its importance has somewhat declined in modern farming due to the use of tractors, which are also a type of plough. Even though the Jatiya Party is used to repeated splits, recently it experienced another one. Previously, the Jatiya Party has split at least three times. For instance, apart from Ershad’s main Jatiya Party, there are now three more Jatiya Parties registered with the Election Commission. These are Jatiya Party–JP (bicycle), Bangladesh Jatiya Party–BJP (bullock cart), and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (jackfruit). With the recent split—where the party’s general secretary and several senior leaders were dismissed—another Jatiya Party may emerge soon. However, that’s a separate issue. Let’s now come to party symbols.

Symbols of major parties
The party that has ruled Bangladesh the longest is the Awami League, which was ousted in the July uprising and whose political activities have been banned under the anti-terrorism act, resulting in its registration with the EC being temporarily suspended. The Awami League’s symbol is the boat.
The boat’s role in the process of food production, collection, and marketing is undeniable. Especially for the Bengalis whose identity is said to be ‘fish and rice’, the boat is the main vehicle in the process of fishing. Although engine-powered boats are used in the sea, in rivers, engine-less ‘logi-boitha’ boats are still relied upon.

Interestingly, to ensure the fish and rice that define Bengalis, the top three political parties play unique and complementary roles. For instance, rice is ensured by paddy, meaning ‘sheaf of paddy’—that is, BNP. The production process of rice is significantly supported by the ‘plough’—meaning Ershad’s Jatiya Party—and fish is ensured by the ‘boat’—meaning Awami League. Jamaat’s scale symbol is also important. Because imagine the chaos in society without a tool to measure food. That means food consciousness has been embedded in our political culture from the start. Now let’s come to the recent debate regarding symbols.

Debate over the water lily
The National Citizens’ Party (NCP), formed by the youth who led the July uprising, applied to the Election Commission on 20 June for registration—where they requested the water lily as their party symbol. But controversy arose from the beginning because the water lily is the national emblem of Bangladesh. Therefore, a country’s national emblem cannot be a political party’s symbol. Article 4 of the Constitution of Bangladesh states: “The national emblem of the Republic consists of a water lily floating in water, flanked by ears of rice, with three intertwined jute leaves at the top and two stars on each side.”

That is, the core of Bangladesh’s national emblem is the water lily. The ears of rice, jute leaves, and stars that surround it are parts of its design. So, when one looks at Bangladesh’s national emblem from far or near, it appears that the water lily is the national emblem. That’s the reason behind the debate.

In such a context, although the number of symbols allocated to candidates ahead of the 13th parliamentary election was increased from 69 to 115, the Election Commission did not include water lily and doyel (magpie robin). That means not only NCP but no political party can have ‘water lily’ or ‘doyel’ as their party symbol. However, NCP’s preferred symbols list includes not only the water lily but also a pen and a mobile phone.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud stated that a policy decision has been made not to enlist the water lily as an electoral symbol. He said that some parties had requested the water lily in the past, but it was not granted. The commissioner said that there are laws to protect the dignity of the national emblem and flag. However, no law has been made regarding the national flower or fruit. Taking these matters into account, a policy decision has been made not to enlist the water lily as an electoral symbol.

However, criticising the Election Commission’s decision, NCP’s chief northern coordinator Sarjis Alam wrote on his verified Facebook: “The water lily is not the national emblem. It is a part of the national emblem. Similarly, the sheaf of paddy, jute leaves, and stars are also parts of the national emblem. If the water lily cannot be a political party’s symbol, then the sheaf of paddy also cannot be a symbol.”

Sarjis’s explanation is not entirely correct. Because Bangladesh’s national emblem is not the sheaf of paddy—it is the water lily. Rather, the sheaf of paddy, jute leaves, and stars are embellishments around the water lily. The core of the emblem is the water lily. Ornamentations of the emblem cannot be considered the emblem itself. Just as the sheaf of paddy, jute leaves, or stars cannot be termed Bangladesh’s national emblem. Even the general public understands the water lily when one refers to the national emblem.

The question is—why is NCP so keen on the water lily symbol? Is it because the sheaf of paddy, part of the national emblem, is the symbol of BNP? And what matters more: a party’s symbol, or its programmes and who leads it?

The Election Commission also did not include the doyel bird as a party symbol. The question is, why not doyel? Because it’s the national bird? If jackfruit—the national fruit—can be a party symbol, then what’s the problem with the national bird? The EC can best answer that.

An agriculture-based Bangladesh in party symbols
Among the currently registered 51 parties, 22 have symbols that reflect agriculture-based Bangladesh. The symbols of the Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party have already been discussed. Beyond that, many of the currently registered parties have symbols representing food and agriculture. For instance, the Communist Party of Bangladesh’s symbol is the sickle—a key tool of farmers. Especially, there’s no alternative to the sickle for cutting ripe paddy. Although modern machines are used in some areas, the sickle remains the main tool for cutting paddy in most places. But the sickle is not just for cutting paddy—it is also a symbol of protest in the politics of agriculture-based Bangladesh. Particularly when farmers protest, a sickle in hand and a gamcha on the head signify a strong warning to the powerful. Poet Dinesh Dash wrote:
"Let the bayonets be sharp,
Friend, keep the sickle sharper.
Let the shells and bombs be heavier,
Friend, sharpen the sickle!"

That is, no matter how the state threatens with bayonets and bullets, workers and labourers must keep their sickle sharpened. Because against bayonets, a sharpened sickle becomes the weapon of war.

The symbol of Bikalpadhara Bangladesh is the winnowing fan. Those familiar with agriculture-based rural Bangladesh know how essential the winnowing fan still is in tasks like cleaning paddy.

The symbol of Bangladesh Jatiya Party–BJP is the bullock cart. Once the main vehicle in rural Bangladesh, in some agricultural areas it is still seen during harvest seasons. Paddy is still transported from the fields using bullock or buffalo carts, especially in northern regions. Although paved roads have reached villages and various transport options like easy bikes are widely available, making the bullock cart nearly obsolete, it remains a symbol of heritage in agriculture-based rural Bangladesh.

The symbol of Bangladesh National Awami Party–NAP is the cow. In agriculture-based Bangladesh, cows are the primary domestic animals. The female cow, the dairy cow, is indispensable to Bengali life. ‘May my child always have milk and rice.’ Alongside the fish and rice identity of Bengalis, milk and rice also represent prosperity and health awareness. This is why, before modern tools like tractors, when ploughing was done with ploughs and bulls, dairy cows were spared primarily for their milk. Dairy cows receive special affection among cattle. However, regardless of gender, Bengalis have a particular fondness and affection for all types of cows. The emotional depth of the cow’s large eyes also does not escape the artist’s gaze. Lyricist Kafil Ahmed wrote: “Birds may have strong wings, but cows have soulful eyes.”

The fish and rice identity of Bengalis is represented by Ganofront, which has the fish symbol. The symbol of the Revolutionary Workers’ Party of Bangladesh is the spade—indispensable in farming. The Ganashonghoti Andolon, registered after the 5 August regime change, has the hat symbol. It is a kind of special hat worn by farmers for sun protection.

Apart from these, other party symbols also reflect agriculture, fruits, and crops. For example, the Bangladesh Tarikat Federation’s symbol is a flower garland; Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon’s is the banyan tree; the National People’s Party–NPP’s is the mango; Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh’s is the date palm; and Bangladesh Development Party’s is the cauliflower. The jackfruit, Bangladesh’s national fruit, is the symbol of Bangladesh Jatiya Party. The coconut—one of the tastiest and healthiest drinks—is the symbol of Bangladesh Congress.

Although a foreign fruit, the apple is very nutritious. The symbol of Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh is the apple. The Ganotantri Party’s symbol is the dove, and Zaker Party’s is the rose—both symbols also reflect agriculture-based Bangladesh.

Beyond the registered ones, the symbols decided by the Election Commission for newly registered parties and independent candidates ahead of the upcoming national elections also feature many reflecting food consciousness and agriculture-based Bangladesh. Such as: pineapple, banana bunch, banana, axe, shrimp, dheki (traditional husking tool), watermelon, flower pot, flower garland, bottle gourd, and lychee.

Ameen Al Rashid: Journalist and writer