The Poison of Jamaat-e-Islami: How an Islamist ideology destroyed India’s Kashmir Valley and Bangladesh

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI), a South Asian Islamist organisation founded by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, has had a deeply destructive impact on the political landscapes of both Kashmir and Bangladesh, contributing significantly to periods of dictatorship and anarchy. JEI’s radical vision for establishing Islamic states governed by Sharia law has incited conflict and instability, exacerbating social and political turmoil in these regions.

Founded in British India in 1941, Jamaat-e-Islami emerged from Maududi’s vision of an Islamic state. The organisation aimed to overhaul Islamic practices and replace secular and liberal values with Sharia law. This ideology, rooted in Islamic supremacism, viewed non-Muslim faiths and secular principles as threats to its vision of an Islamic state. After the partition of India in 1947, JEI’s influence expanded, leading to its division into JEI Hind, JEI J&K, JEI Pakistan, and JEI Bangladesh.

In the Kashmir Valley, JEI’s radical interpretation of Islam clashed violently with the region’s traditional Sufi practices, which integrated Islamic beliefs with local Hindu traditions. The Kashmiri Sufi tradition, known for its spiritual pluralism and syncretism, was deemed corrupt by JEI’s followers, who sought to replace it with a more rigid and conservative form of Islam. This clash fostered separatist sentiments and contributed to the rise of militant groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, which aimed to establish an Islamic state in Kashmir.

Influenced by JEI’s, these groups engaged in violent insurgency against Indian authorities, leading to prolonged instability in the region. The ensuing unrest has not only undermined democratic processes but has also paved the way for authoritarian measures in response to the ongoing conflict.

JEI’s impact on Bangladesh has been similarly detrimental. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, JEI’s paramilitary wing, the Razakars, collaborated with the Pakistani military in committing widespread atrocities against Bengali civilians, including both Muslims and Hindus. This brutal collaboration left enduring scars on Bangladesh’s national consciousness and significantly influenced its political trajectory.

After independence, JEI’s influence continued to disrupt Bangladesh’s political landscape. The organisation has been implicated in efforts to destabilise the secular government of Sheikh Hasina, often accused of inciting unrest to further its Islamist agenda. This persistent disruption has contributed to cycles of political instability and has occasionally facilitated the rise of authoritarian rule.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s ideology has had a profoundly negative impact on both Kashmir and Bangladesh. In Kashmir, JEI’s radical interpretations of Islam have fueled separatist violence and undermined democratic processes. In Bangladesh, JEI’s role in the 1971 war and its subsequent political manoeuvres have contributed to ongoing instability, often resulting in periods of dictatorship and anarchy. Recognising the destructive potential of JEI’s ideology is crucial for addressing the persistent conflicts and pursuing pathways to peace and stability in these regions.