No majority-minority divide: Bangladesh Jamaat chief amid attacks on Hindus

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said he does not believe in the term “minority” and asserted that all people in the country are Bangladeshi citizens.

Amid rising concerns over the safety of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, Rahman told India Today that dividing people on the basis of religion creates division. “Just upon the basis of religion, it's bad practice because nation become divided and people become face to face. Rather, we are interested in seeing our people totally united and integrated. This is our stance. So we never admit any majority or minority in my country,” he said.

When asked about concerns among the Hindu community, Rahman said his party wants to move beyond the past.

“But we want to draw the end of previous history. And we will work together, we will move together,” he said.

On what Jamaat-e-Islami would focus on if it comes to power, Rahman said the emphasis would be on national identity.

“Only Bangladeshi identity. Nothing more. And you people who will come here as a guest. We will try to give you the due honour to the guest. And the security for every citizen of this country. Equal security. Yes, equal right and equal security,” he said.

When asked whether the party would demand the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, Rahman refused to answer and snubbed the question.

Rahman’s remarks come amid growing concern in Bangladesh over the rising prominence of hardline groups. Their influence has raised alarms about the rights and safety of women and religious minorities. Minority communities, particularly Hindus, have reported increased intimidation and incidents of violence.

In a recent incident, a 62-year-old Hindu trader was hacked to death by unidentified men inside his shop in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh, according to a local media report on Tuesday.

Bangladeshis will cast ballots on Thursday in a crucial national election, the first since a mass uprising ended the 15-year rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Public expectations remain high that the vote could help reset democratic norms after more than a decade of disputed elections and shrinking political space.

The Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh ist Party (BNP), is seen as the frontrunner. But its former ally, the resurgent Shafiqur Rahman-led Jamaat-e-Islami, could spring a surprise.

Jamaat-e-Islami is one of the major Islamic political parties in Bangladesh. The party has faced long-standing controversy over its role during the 1971 Liberation War. In recent years, courts convicted several of its senior leaders in war crimes cases. Following a High Court order at one point, authorities cancelled the party’s election registration, affecting its political activities.

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