The very name “Jamaat-e-Islami” evokes historical unease in Bangladesh. Cloaked in religion, its ideological foundation has long sought to impose a rigid interpretation of faith upon the populace, often through brutal force. Its party emblem—the “Scales of Equity”—rings hollow against a record marred by violence, opportunism, and loyalty to Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War. More than five decades after independence, the shadow of this past continues to shape perceptions of the party and its successors, raising persistent questions about loyalty, accountability, and the ethical contours of governance.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s influence extends beyond politics into economic and institutional spheres, operating through ostensibly separate organisations. Critics underscore a persistent dissonance between its public declarations and historical conduct—a disparity that continues to unsettle Bangladesh’s moral and political conscience. Memories of 1971 remain especially searing. The party’s alignment with Pakistan produced auxiliary militias such as Al-Badr, Razakar, and Al-Shams, which were implicated in the massacre of civilians, mass rapes, and targeted assaults on minority communities. For survivors and witnesses, these horrors are neither distant nor forgivable; they form a permanent imprint on national memory.
I speak from personal experience as someone who bore witness to those atrocities in 1971—sustaining a bullet wound to my left leg—and again in 2024. The shadows of cruelty committed under Jamaat’s banner, both then and in subsequent episodes, evoke a sorrow that endures. Justice, therefore, is not merely symbolic but an essential pillar of national reconciliation. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), established under Sheikh Hasina’s administration, prosecuted and executed key war criminals, affirming that accountability is indispensable to the nation’s ethical and democratic foundations.
Despite its notorious past, Jamaat-e-Islami has resurfaced as a central actor in Bangladesh’s imminent general election on 12 February 2026. With the Awami League absent from the polls following the unlawful ouster of Sheikh Hasina in July–August 2024, Jamaat has repositioned itself within an 11-party alliance led by the National Citizen Party (NCP). Historical bans, political isolation, and legal restrictions were lifted under the interim administration of Dr Yunus, enabling the party’s re-entry into formal politics and sparking concerns about the potential normalisation of extremist forces.
The party’s resurgence cannot be understood without reference to Bangladesh’s broader political history. After independence, Jamaat was banned to protect the secular and pluralistic foundations of the new state. Subsequent military regimes—notably under Gen Zia, Gen Ershad, and later Khaleda Zia—rehabilitated the party, diluting secular principles and reinserting so-called religion-based politics into the public sphere. Over the decades, Jamaat consolidated organisational and financial strength, maintained loyal grassroots networks, and participated in coalition governments, often under the BNP banner. Its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, further expanded its influence through madrassas and, at times, engaged in political violence, sustaining the party’s ideological reach even during periods of marginalisation.
The events of 2024 dramatically altered the political terrain. Following the violent removal of Sheikh Hasina, Jamaat reorganised its leadership, expanded its campaign infrastructure, and projected an image of moderation while concealing a deeply conservative agenda. Surveys indicate a narrow electoral gap between Jamaat and the BNP, with public opinion sharply divided amid heightened uncertainty. Analysts caution that Jamaat’s electoral momentum is supported not only by organisation and funding but also by systemic vulnerabilities, including allegations of bribery, coercion, and administrative manipulation. In tightly contested constituencies, such practices could decisively influence outcomes, raising questions about the credibility of the election itself.
The party’s manifesto emphasises regional cooperation, engagement with the United Nations, and the development of bilateral ties with neighbouring states, including India. Yet these declarations coexist uneasily with a historical record of violence, suppression of women’s rights, and ideological opposition to secularism. Minority communities—particularly Hindus, the country’s largest religious minority—remain apprehensive, fearing marginalisation or targeted persecution under a Jamaat-led government. Reports of attacks on religious and cultural institutions since 2024 have only intensified these anxieties, underscoring the stakes beyond mere electoral arithmetic.
Regional observers and international actors are closely monitoring Jamaat’s resurgence. Diplomatic engagements, including contacts with Western representatives, have conferred a degree of legitimacy that contrasts starkly with its prior isolation. While some frame these interactions as pragmatic diplomacy, others warn that geopolitical expediency should not overshadow considerations of historical accountability, secularism, and minority protections. The potential normalisation of extremist forces carries implications not only for Bangladesh but also for South Asia’s broader political equilibrium.
The 12 February election thus represents more than a contest for parliamentary seats. It is a referendum on unresolved historical fault lines and the resilience of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions. Jamaat-e-Islami’s rise challenges citizens to weigh electoral promises against decades of proven conduct, ideological rigidity, and societal impact. For observers and voters alike, the central question is not solely which party prevails, but whether the electoral process itself can retain credibility, reinforce institutional integrity, and safeguard the pluralistic values upon which Bangladesh was founded.
As Bangladesh approaches this pivotal moment, the nation confronts the enduring tension between memory and aspiration. The electorate’s decisions will not only shape the composition of the Jatiya Sangsad but also signal the broader trajectory of national identity, democratic resilience, and the protection of human rights. In this context, vigilance, civic engagement, and historical awareness remain indispensable to ensuring that Bangladesh’s hard-won independence and moral foundations continue to guide its future.
