Krishna Nandi, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for the Khulna-1 (Batiaghata-Dakope) constituency, has dismissed allegations that the Hindu community would be unable to live in Bangladesh if Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power. Instead, he promised that the party would ensure they are treated with the highest level of hospitality and respect.
Speaking as a special guest at a major election rally held at the Khulna Circuit House ground on Tuesday afternoon, Krishna Nandi addressed the concerns of the minority community.
“It is often propagated to the Hindu community that they won’t be able to stay in this country if Jamaat comes to power. But I want to say, if Jamaat is elected, Hindus will be kept in this country with ‘Jamai-Ador’ (utmost hospitality),” Nandi stated.
Warnings Against Vote-Buying
During his speech, Krishna Nandi also took a swipe at rival candidates and parties accused of using money to influence voters. He emphasized that Jamaat does not believe in purchasing votes.
“Jamaat does not buy votes with money. It is cattle like cows and goats that are sold for money. One particular party has ‘opened the mouth of their money sacks,’ but I urge you not to sell your conscience and your vote for money,” he added.
Pledges for Industrial Revival and Dialogue
The rally was headlined by the party’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, who attended as the chief guest. He outlined the vision of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, promising a shift away from the “fascist” practices of the past.
- Industrialization: Dr. Shafiqur Rahman pledged that if the alliance is given the responsibility to lead the nation, they would not close any industries. Instead, they would focus on reopening closed mills and factories and establishing new ones.
- Localized Solutions: He stated that the party would sit with the people to identify area-specific problems through dialogue and find sustainable solutions.
- Women’s Rights: The Jamaat Ameer strongly criticized the harassment of women during the campaign. He noted that while some parties talk about “family cards,” they continue to oppress mothers and sisters. He warned that any further attempts to obstruct their campaign would be met with firm legal and political resistance.
Protecting the Minority
Reflecting on the period following the July-August mass uprising, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman claimed that Jamaat activists acted as “guards” for the properties and dignity of other religious communities—a feat he claimed other parties failed to achieve. He urged the public to “test” the 11-party alliance this time by voting for the ‘Balance’ (Tari) symbol.
Key Attendees
The rally, presided over by Khulna City Jamaat leader Mahfuzur Rahman, was also attended by:
- Miya Golam Porwar, Central Secretary General.
- Sheikh Jahangir Husain Helal, Candidate for Khulna-2.
- Abul Kalam Azad, Candidate for Khulna-6.
- Sakhawat Hossain, Alliance candidate for Khulna-4.
The event saw a massive turnout, signaling a high-stakes campaign in the Khulna region as the national election approaches on February 13.
