In a move that has sparked widespread concern, Bangladesh’s caretaker government on Wednesday lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, a controversial Islamist party. This decision marks a significant rollback of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s policies, who had taken a firm stance against the party’s role in stoking violence and several terrorist activities.
Just last month, Sheikh Hasina banned Jamaat-e-Islami, because of its sinister involvement in student-led protests that contributed to her ouster. Jamaat e Islami had already been effectively barred from participating in elections since a 2013 court ruling revoked its registration as a political party. The caretaker government’s decision to reverse this ban, citing a lack of evidence of the party’s involvement in “terrorist activities,” raises serious questions about the country’s future direction.
This reversal is not just a matter of legal procedure; it reflects a broader trend of undoing the policies of a leader who took a hard line against extremism. As Bangladesh grapples with the implications of this decision, the international community must remain vigilant and continue to support the principles of democracy and secularism in the region.
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB), a political party founded in 1941 with an Islamist ideology, has had a complex and often controversial history. From its inception to its tumultuous role during Bangladesh’s liberation struggle in 1971, the party has shaped and been shaped by the nation’s political landscape. Over the years, Jamaat-e-Islami’s resurgence has sparked concern and debate over whether the movement represents a return to Islamist politics or signals a dangerous slide toward the “Talibanization” of Bangladesh.
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or literally translated reads as Bangladesh Islamic Congress, began as a chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. It opposed the creation of a secular state and promoted a political system based on Islamic law and sharia. After the partition of India in 1947, Jamaat-e-Islami found itself advocating for an Islamic state in Pakistan, which later expanded to include East Pakistan (modern-day Bangladesh).
Jamaat’s darkest period came during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, where it openly supported Pakistan and collaborated with the Pakistani military in supressing the independence movement lead by bangbandhu Sheikh Mujib. Many of its leaders were implicated in war crimes, which led to the banning of Jamaat from participating in Bangladeshi politics post-liberation and creation of Bangladesh.
In the decades that followed, Jamaat re-emerged as a political entity, often aligning with major political parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to assert its influence. However, its role in the 1971 atrocities should never be forgotten. Many within Bangladesh, still regard Jamaat as a divisive and controversial force.
The resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh raises concerns about the re-emergence of Islamist politics. The party, like other Islamist organizations, seeks to introduce Sharia-based laws and promote a more conservative interpretation of Islam in Bangladeshi society.
In recent years, there have been growing signs of Islamist revivalism across the nation including that of rising atrocities on Hindus. This has taken the form of protests against secular policies, rising conservative sentiments, and the increasing influence of madrassas, many of which are affiliated with Jamaat.
While Jamaat presents itself as a legitimate political player, advocating for Islamic values within a democratic framework, critics argue that it harbors extremist tendencies. Some segments of the population worry that Jamaat’s rise could shift the country towards a more radical and intolerant form of governance. A particular concern is whether Jamaat’s ideology is compatible with Bangladesh’s founding principles of secularism and pluralism.
The question of “Talibanization” arises from fears that Jamaat’s ideology could lead to a more extreme, theocratic state resembling the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan. Bangladesh has witnessed frequent violence in the name of Islam, with groups like Ansarullah Bangla Team and Hefazat-e-Islam advocating for similar goals of imposing strict Islamic rule. These movements overlap with Jamaat’s agenda.
The concern is that Jamaat’s influence could mainstream radical ideas under the guise of legitimate politics, creating fertile ground for a more extremist interpretation of Islam to take hold. This is threatening Bangladesh’s secular identity and erode the democratic freedoms that many fought for during its independence.
Bangladesh’s recent release of Jashimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), is a deeply alarming development that poses a direct threat to India’s security. Rahmani, who was imprisoned for orchestrating the brutal murder of a blogger in 2013, leads a group that has been aggressively working to establish sleeper cells within India. Under Sheikh Hasina’s government, ABT was rightly outlawed in 2015. This reckless move to free a convicted terrorist sends a dangerous signal, undermining regional security and emboldening extremist elements that threaten peace and stability in the region.
Some may argue that Bangladesh is not Afghanistan, and the comparison may oversimplify the complexities of its political and social landscape. However, Iran before the Islamic revolution and Afghanistan in 1970s were considered to be progressive and open societies. Besides the spectre of radicalization looms large, especially as regional Islamist movements gain ground across South Asia.
Bangladesh has a unique identity as a predominantly Muslim country with a constitutional commitment to secularism. This delicate balance is being tested by the resurgence of Islamist movements like Jamaat-e-Islami.
As Bangladesh navigates its future, it will need to confront these dual challenges. On one hand, it must uphold its secular principles while respecting the values and rights of minorities. On the other, it must prevent the rise of extremist ideologies that threaten its democratic fabric. The path forward requires vigilance against both political manipulation by Islamist factions and the radicalization of conservative elements within the country.
The resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh is emblematic of a broader tension in Bangladeshi society between secularism and political Islam. While some view the party as a legitimate political actor returning to the mainstream, others see its rise as a step toward the “Talibanization” of Bangladesh. The future of the country will depend on how well it can manage this tension, ensuring that the values of secularism and democracy prevail against the encroachment of extremist ideologies.
Siddhartha Dave is an alumnus of the United Nations University in Tokyo and a former Lok Sabha Research Fellow. He writes on foreign affairs and national security.
