Dhaka is buzzing with political tension as Bangladesh heads toward its general elections on February 12. The radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami finds itself at the center of controversy, exposing a glaring contradiction in its strategy. While top leaders publicly assure voters that they won’t impose Sharia law if they gain power, the same figures—many of whom are election candidates—boldly advocate for Sharia implementation on television talk shows.
On the ground, mid- and lower-level party workers are ramping up their campaign, urging supporters to vote for the party’s scale symbol, ‘Daripalla,’ as a religious obligation. Some go further, dubbing it the ‘ticket to paradise.’ This revelation comes from a bombshell report published on Wednesday by a leading Bangladeshi daily.
The report highlights a stark paradox: Jamaat projects a moderate image to attract broader support, yet grassroots propaganda relentlessly pushes the Sharia narrative. ‘Politically, Jamaat-e-Islami is trapped in a deep dilemma,’ the analysis states. The party’s name includes ‘Islam,’ and it has long rallied under slogans demanding ‘Allah’s law.’ Its core base expects Sharia upon victory, but pursuing power through such rhetoric risks alienating moderate voters—a risk the party clearly recognizes.
Dubbed ‘strategic ambiguity,’ this dual approach allows Jamaat to juggle conflicting messages without committing. The report criticizes this tactic, arguing that Jamaat’s leader must publicly clarify whether Sharia will be imposed and, if so, in what framework. Voting for Jamaat isn’t like choosing between Awami League and BNP; it pits fundamental ideologies against each other.
As elections near, the pressure mounts for transparency. The report warns that such vagueness undermines Jamaat’s slogan of ‘honest governance’ and borders on hypocrisy—what religious terms call ‘munafiqat.’ This double game raises serious questions about the party’s credibility and its place in democratic politics. Voters deserve clarity to make informed choices, ensuring Bangladesh’s secular constitution isn’t threatened by hidden agendas.
