Shafiqur Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami social gathering chief speaks throughout a Jamaat-led alliance rally forward of Bangladesh’s common election in Dhaka on February 8, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP
In an oblique message to India, the chief of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist social gathering has stated the upcoming election will present ‘crimson card’ to the ‘pro-hegemony’ forces in Bangladesh.
Addressing an election rally right here on Sunday (February 8, 2026), Ameer of Jamaat-E-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated if elected to energy, Jamaat will work for all sections of society and warranted that pupil chief Nahid Islam might be an “vital Minister” if the 11-party alliance that’s led by Jamaat-e-Islami is elected to energy.
“If elected to energy, we’ll guard the rights of 18 crore residents and your entire landmass of Bangladesh. The election will present ‘crimson card’ to “pro-hegemony’ forces,” stated Mr. Rahman campaigning for Mr. Islam within the Dhaka-11 constituency. Mr. Rahman stated the 11-party alliance will take everybody alongside if elected to energy and that the pledge to rebuild Bangladesh relies on a agency agenda among the many alliance members. He additionally accused the main contender Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion as liable for many challenges going through the nation and accused the BNP of being non-serious about corruption.
Jamaat-e-Islami that has historically been thought to be antithetical to Bangladesh constructing relation with India has been guarded in its ballot marketing campaign conferences however the leaders have typically not directly hinted that they are going to be extra assertive relating to Dhaka-Delhi ties.
Although JEI in its election manifesto has stated if elected, it would work for “constructive relations with neighbouring international locations” the coed outfit of JEI and varied pupil unions which can be supported by JEI have been finishing up an “India out” marketing campaign within the ballot season.
“Peaceable, pleasant and cooperative relations might be constructed with neighbouring and close by international locations— together with India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Thailand— based mostly on mutual respect and equity,” the manifesto of JEI talked about. Within the public rallies, the social gathering has prevented naming India however has typically talked about ‘India-based’ Sheikh Hasina accusing her of planning to disrupt the voting course of. On Sunday (February 8, 2026), Mr. Islam too talked about that there are plans to disrupt the election.
“There’s a plan to devastate Bangladesh however we now have to defeat that plan on February 12. Bangladesh will defeat the forces that help land grabbing, regional hegemony and terror,” stated Mr. Islam whereas campaigning for Dhaka-11 seat. Over the weekend, a gathering was held in Shahid Minar the place pupil leaders of Jagannath College Central College students Union (JUCSU) who’re supported by JEI accused India of conspiring towards Bangladesh’s pursuits.
The leaders referred to as for investigation into the December 12, 2025 taking pictures of Islamist chief Sharif Osman Hadi and referred to as for assist from worldwide organizations. “We don’t belief nationwide investigation. With out worldwide investigation this case is not going to get a good listening to,” stated Nasiruddin Patwari, Nationwide Citizen Occasion chief.
It’s noteworthy to say that after the loss of life of Hadi on December 18, 2025, the Islamist teams had threatened to encircle the Indian Excessive Fee in Dhaka and pelted stones at Indian visa places of work that froze visa operations between the 2 sides which can be but to normalise.
Printed – February 09, 2026 12:27 pm IST
