Twenty-five residents from the Hindu (“Sanatan”) community in Chapainawabganj municipality have joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the party confirmed on Sunday.
The new members formally filled out primary membership forms at the party’s district office in the afternoon.
“We have joined Jamaat-e-Islami because we like its political and economic system,” said Sumon Kumar Saha, one of the new members. “We will practice our religion and they will practice theirs — no one will face any problem.”
Those who joined include Sukumar Paramanik, Chandan Das, Sudarshan Mondol, Bakhanath Thakur, Kanai Choudhury, Bharat Choudhury, Satish Mondol, Bablu Mondol, Situ Mondol, Sumal Mondol, Dalon Mondol and Montu Lal Choudhury, among others.
Latifur Rahman, a central committee member of Jamaat and former MP, said the Hindu members joined “spontaneously,” reflecting people’s trust in value-based politics.
“Our politics is guided by principles, ideals and justice,” Rahman said. “Our party constitution allows people of any religion to join if they agree with Jamaat’s political and economic philosophy. They are free to practice their religion.”
Rahman added that more people from different faiths are expected to join the party in the future.
