Jamaat-e-Islami Courts Hindu Votes in Bangladesh with Safety Pledge
Jamaat-e-Islami leader appeals to Hindus for votes in Bangladesh elections, promising safety and equality for all religions.
In a significant political development ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national elections, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has made an unusual appeal to the country’s Hindu community, calling for their support and promising a Bangladesh that is safe for people of all religions. The outreach, delivered at a rally in Khulna, is being seen as the party’s strongest minority pitch to date.
Rahman was campaigning for Krishna Nandi, Jamaat’s candidate from the Khulna-1 constituency, a Hindu-majority seat with a history of electing Hindu representatives. Nandi, who heads Jamaat’s local Hindu committee unit, has close ties with senior party leadership, underscoring the party’s attempt to broaden its electoral base.
During his address, Rahman emphasized principles of justice, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination. He claimed that Jamaat would prioritize merit over religious identity in governance, asserting that public positions would be filled based on competence rather than faith, and promised protection of life, property, and dignity for all communities.
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The outreach comes against a controversial backdrop, as Jamaat-e-Islami has long been accused of promoting hardline Islamist policies and targeting religious minorities. Critics argue the party’s renewed messaging represents an image makeover rather than a fundamental ideological shift, particularly given its past advocacy for governance based on Islamic law.
Rahman also took an apparent swipe at rival parties, vowing to end Bangladesh’s tradition of dynasty-based politics if Jamaat comes to power. The election has increasingly become a contest between Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), former allies now locked in rivalry following the exclusion of the Awami League from the polls.
The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, has also promised a secular and inclusive Bangladesh, positioning itself as an alternative for minority voters. With both major contenders pledging safety for Hindus amid ongoing concerns over minority violence, the election is shaping up as a decisive test of credibility, trust, and Bangladesh’s future political direction.
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