If Jamaat governs, Hindus will feel secure, says Hindu Candidate

Krishna Nandi, a Hindu businessman and parliamentary candidate for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, says his political journey reflects what he calls a changing perception about the party among minority communities. His candidacy has drawn national attention, as it challenges the long-standing belief that an Islamic political party cannot represent religious minorities.

Nandi says his experience supports what he describes as the Jamaat promises Hindu safety if the party comes to power. According to him, Hindus would not face pressure to leave the country or live in fear. Instead, he says they would be able to live with dignity, legal protection, and equal citizenship.

He argues that fear among minority communities has often been used as a political tool. For years, he says, Hindus were told that Islamic politics would automatically lead to persecution. His decision to contest elections under the Jamaat banner, he claims, challenges that narrative and has encouraged some voters to reconsider their political views.

Nandi joined Jamaat-e-Islami in 2003, saying he was drawn by what he describes as the party’s discipline, accountability, and moral structure. He claims the party does not rely on money, intimidation, or violence to win support, and that many citizens, including minorities, are now exploring alternatives to traditional political parties.

In his constituency of Khulna-1, Nandi says residents have long faced extortion, political violence, and discrimination. He claims Hindu families, in particular, have suffered economic and social pressure. He has promised that, if elected, cases of unfair dismissal and attacks on minorities would be addressed through lawful procedures.

Nandi says he practices direct, accessible politics and keeps open communication with voters rather than relying on intermediaries. He also claims to have faced pressure from local power groups, but insists he will not withdraw from the race.

Addressing concerns about the treatment of minorities in the past, he acknowledges that different governments have failed to protect them at times. However, he argues that the focus should be on whether political forces are willing to confront injustice rather than deny it.

He describes Jamaat as an Islamic party in values but a national party in responsibility, saying principles such as justice, accountability, and human dignity apply to all citizens regardless of religion. Referring to the July 2024 unrest, he claims that members of Jamaat-linked organisations helped protect minority neighbourhoods and places of worship.

Nandi says the election should be seen as an opportunity to rebuild trust between citizens and the state. He argues that Bangladesh’s plural society requires political forces that can ensure equal rights and security for all communities.

Standing as a Hindu candidate, Nandi says he believes the party’s principles can help build a safer and more just country, adding that Bangladesh belongs to people of every faith.