25 ‘Hindus’ join Jamaat-e-Islami in Chapainawabganj

In an unusual turn of events, 25 Chapainawabganj residents identifying themselves as Hindus have joined the Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami.

On Sunday, the new recruits filled out membership forms at the party’s district office.

One of them, Suman Kumar Saha, said: “We joined Jamaat-e-Islami because we like the party's political and economic vision. We will follow our religion and they'll follow theirs. No one will have any problem with this.”

Those who joined include Sukumar Paramanik, Chandan Das, Sudarshan Mandal, Bakshanath Thakur, Kanai Chowdhury, Bharat Chowdhury, Satish Mandal, Bablu Mandal, Situ Mandal, Sumal Mandal, Dalan Mandal and Montu Lal Chowdhury -- all residents of Ward No. 2 of the municipality.

Latifur Rahman, a central committee member of Jamaat-e-Islami and a former lawmaker, said the decision showed that followers of the Hindu faith were “spontaneously” gravitating towards Jamaat's politics.

“Our politics are conducted on the basis of principles, ideals and justice,” he said.

“This decision of theirs proves that people trust in ideology-based politics. Twenty-five followers of the Hindu religion have joined Jamaat-e-Islami. Many more will join in the future.”

He added, “Our Constitution states that people of any religion can join Jamaat-e-Islami by agreeing with its politics and economic system. They will practice their religion freely.”