Jamaat-e-Islami makes a comeback in Bangladesh: Why it's bad news for India

Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to restore the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a right-wing Islamist party that had been barred from contesting elections since 2013.

The ruling follows nearly a decade-long legal struggle mounted by the party, which had been disqualified by a High Court verdict deeming it incompatible with the country’s constitution.

The final ruling now enables JeI to once again operate as a recognised political entity and potentially contest future elections.

The decision to restore JeI’s registration came after the interim government under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus assumed power in the aftermath of violent anti-government protests that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

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JeI had backed the protests under the platform Students Against Discrimination (SAD), alongside other parties. Soon after the change in administration, the Yunus-led government lifted the ban on Jamaat, allowing the party to reposition itself in the mainstream political sphere.

The Election Commission has been tasked with deciding whether the party may resume using its traditional “scale” symbol.

This legal victory was accompanied by another controversial development. The apex court recently overturned the conviction of JeI leader ATM Azharul Islam, who had previously been sentenced to death in 2014 for genocide, rape, and murder during the 1971 Liberation War.

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The court’s decision to acquit Islam, a figure once found guilty of crimes against humanity, further cemented JeI’s return to legitimacy. The party’s counsel, Mohammad Shishir Manir, said: “Today concludes the decade-long legal battle. We hope Bangladesh will have a vibrant parliament after this verdict. We hope voters will vote for the Jamaat candidate of their choice now.”

The acquittal was welcomed by interim law adviser Asif Nazrul, who credited the July-August 2024 mass movement’s leadership for “creating the scope for establishing this justice.”

With JeI’s legal and political standing restored, it has now begun an active rebranding campaign ahead of national elections.

Why Jamaat-e-Islami is controversial

JeI has long had a polarising presence in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The party’s predecessor, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, openly opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and collaborated with the Pakistan Army in its brutal crackdown on the civilian population of East Pakistan.

Many of its leaders and activists were found to have participated in atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence.

Following Sheikh Hasina’s return to power in 2009, her administration launched legal proceedings against individuals accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces during the war.

These efforts were undertaken by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), which found several JeI leaders guilty. The convictions were upheld by the Supreme Court, leading to the execution of six senior Jamaat figures and one senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) member.

JeI’s links to regional instability are another cause for concern, especially for neighbouring India. During the BNP-JeI coalition government, which held power in the early 2000s, Indian insurgent groups operating in the northeast were reportedly allowed to operate from Bangladeshi soil.

This changed when Sheikh Hasina came to power and took steps to dismantle insurgent networks, handing over several key figures to Indian authorities.

Indian security analysts have also noted JeI’s history of receiving backing from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The party, along with its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, has been accused of spreading radical ideologies and fanning anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh.

Chhatra Shibir was a key participant in the protests that led to Hasina’s fall in 2024, and it has continued to function as the party’s grassroots mobilisation tool.

Recently, it faced backlash after an article in its magazine Chhatra Sangbad described Muslim participation in the 1971 Liberation War as “a failure” and “a lack of foresight.” Though the group later apologised, the BNP’s student wing distanced itself.

What this means for India

The Islamist party maintains a pro-Pakistan stance and advocates for the establishment of an Islamic state in Bangladesh.

This ideological position poses a direct challenge to India’s interests, especially as it coincides with attempts to foster closer ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan under the Yunus government.

In fact, JeI’s re-entry into politics may offer a gateway for Pakistan to reassert its influence in Dhaka’s policymaking circles. Yunus has publicly expressed an interest in strengthening ties with Islamabad, a move that dovetails with JeI’s longstanding foreign policy leanings.

Indian observers worry that this alignment could weaken India-Bangladesh cooperation on a range of issues including counterterrorism, border security and regional connectivity.

The threat extends beyond rhetoric. JeI leaders have met with international delegations to advance controversial proposals. In a recent meeting in Dhaka with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) representatives led by Peng Jiubin, Director-General of the Southeast and South Asian Affairs Bureau, JeI suggested the creation of an independent Rohingya state.

According to NDTV, such a move could destabilise the region further, particularly in the context of escalating conflicts along Myanmar’s borders, including the rise of the Arakan Army.

India, which has invested heavily in regional connectivity initiatives like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project and the Sittwe Port in Myanmar, could find these efforts undermined.

These projects are crucial for improving access to India’s northeast and enhancing links with Southeast Asia. Any disruption caused by radical shifts in Bangladesh’s foreign policy posture or by increased Islamist activism could directly impact India’s strategic interests.

Are BNP and Jamaat still allies?

Although the BNP and Jamaat were long-time allies, recent developments suggest their alliance is under strain. The BNP has distanced itself from JeI since the latter’s re-entry into politics and has opposed several of its initiatives, including views expressed on the 1971 war and electoral strategies.

One key point of divergence is the timeline for elections. While the BNP has insisted on holding elections by December 2025, Jamaat has shown willingness to allow the interim government to extend its term. This has been interpreted as Jamaat seeking more time to consolidate its political revival.

Despite not securing a majority in past elections, JeI has often played the role of kingmaker, influencing political outcomes through strategic alliances.

Its renewed legitimacy, coupled with a weakened Awami League — which has been disbanded pending trial for its crackdown on the 2024 protests — raises concerns about a potential reshaping of Bangladesh’s political landscape along more radical lines.

With inputs from agencies