On 12^th February 2026 Bangladesh is gearing up for fresh general elections and a national constitutional referendum on the July Charter. The “Monsoon Uprising” forced elected Prime Minister now in exile Sheikh Hasina to depart and Peace Noble Laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus to lead the county since 7^th August 2024.

Rise of the Right the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the biggest religious political party has made an alliance the students – ‘National Citizen Party’ (NCP) and other like-minded formations and is appealing to the nation for a complete transformation, if voted into power keeping religion at its core. The Jamaat has a chequered history, has a long inclination to the ‘Two Nation Theory’ and was hand in glove with the perpetrators of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

The West was almost oblivious to the atrocities in East Pakistan till the Sunday Times published the landmark article titled “Genocide” by Antony Mascarenhas. The article was instrumental in tilting world opinion of the ongoing and uncontrolled extermination in East Pakistan.

Mrs Mascarenhas, Anthony’s wife, in an exclusive to the BBC 2011: “I’d never seen my husband looking in such a state. He was absolutely shocked, stressed, upset and terribly emotional. He told me that if he couldn’t write the story of what he’d seen he’d never be able to write another word again” – those were his firsthand experience form the horrors and metal scars that followed after.

In the upcoming February 12 elections Jamat has not nominated a single woman candidate, however have assured equal rights for women. They also propose when they are ready in the future to have more representation in the form of elected women representatives.

Bengali culture and tradition have been always pluralistic and multi-dimensional in nature with focus on women empowerment and Liberalization. Both the historic and popular political parties in Bangladesh, the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has been led by ladies, at the centre of the power equation. Jamat has a vision in which women will be subjugated and their key participation in the workforce curtailed, effectively from eight hours a day to just over half to five. A clear divergence from equal participation and uplifting women, children and entire families from the economic benefits predominately from the ready-made garments sector as an example.

During the campaign of their key ally the student led NCP, Jamat members refused to support women candidates as they did not dress as per the strict sharia compliance. One can only sliver in fear, if before the elections this is the attitude, what havoc it may wreck on the society once they are in control.

Equals not Minorities as per the current constitution all citizens of the country are equal inspective of their ethnic, religious or gender make up. Nevertheless, there are active attempts to change a constitution towards a more religious, rigid society highlighting the phenomena of the Other.

Since the 5^th of August 2024, there has been an astronomic increase in the attacks, arson, murder, rape, lynching, targeting members of Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Ahmadiyya, ISCKON and members of the LGBT community. This phenomenon coupled with a loose law and order deterrent, has further aggravated the situation in a dangerous direction.

Bangladesh was liberated by the blood and sweat of millions of martyrs who struggled against oppression, connivance and tyranny. The Washington Post has reported recently that the Jamat has already mage secret deals with key Western allies and hope to turn their fortunes around if they are voted into power. The upcoming February elections will be a litmus test if the country can pull back and restate its multitudinous composition.

Distinction of identity 21^st February is celebrated globally as a fitting tribute to these who sacrificed all for the Bengali language, recognized by the United Nations as International Mother Language Day. In a rather unfortunate twiddle with history the date of the upcoming elections is exactly the opposite of twenty-one.

The Jamat has made pledges of accommodation and some degree of moderation to appeal especially to the youth as they have not lived the barbarity of 1971. Truth be told the support base still rely on ultra-right conservatives who firmly believe in the implementation of religious code. Multiple attacks on pioneers of Bengali culture like Chhayanaut (who follows the National Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam) and Udichi have deep inner warning messages, of what lies ahead.

The fundamental question is whether Jamat will abandon its defining ideology and transform? Will the clocks be turned back, only a time machine can predict but Bangladesh is at an intersection, in between ignominy and introspection.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel