Islamist Party’s Rise Overshadows Student Revolution in Bangladesh

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by Anupreeta Das and Saif Hasnat

February 15, 2026

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The rise of an Islamist political party in Bangladesh has overshadowed the country’s recent student-led revolution, signaling a significant shift in its political landscape. Jamaat-e-Islami, known for advocating Islamic law but running on a more moderate platform, made unprecedented gains in the national elections held last week. Winning 68 out of 297 seats, the party far exceeded its previous performance and emerged as a key player in the country’s politics. This development comes despite the fact that the youth wing of this Islamist group had already stunned the nation by securing a landslide victory in student elections at Dhaka’s University of Dhaka, a stronghold of left-liberal politics. The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami reflects broader tectonic shifts in Bangladesh’s political landscape, influenced by the 2024 student revolution that toppled the autocratic government led by Sheikh Hasina. Initially seen as a progressive movement aiming to create a more inclusive democracy, the revolution inadvertently paved the way for conservative forces to gain influence. Two months before the elections, Jamaat formed an unexpected alliance with the National Citizen Party (NCP), a party founded by student uprising leaders in 2025. Despite their ideological differences—Jamaat’s core tenet of restricting women’s public roles contradicts the NCP’s progressive stance on gender rights—the alliance was formed to maximize electoral chances, leveraging Jamaat’s extensive student network. This unexpected political shift highlights the complexities of post-revolutionary Bangladesh. While the NCP believed this partnership would strengthen their democratic reforms, critics argue it has allowed conservative Islamist ideologies to gain traction. The outcome underscores how the country’s political dynamics are evolving under new leadership, with Tarique Rahman, scion of another political dynasty, set to become prime minister. This rise of a new power broker challenges the dominance of Bangladesh’s traditional political parties and raises questions about the future direction of the nation’s policies. The situation in Bangladesh is particularly significant for global audiences interested in the interplay between religion, politics, and social movements. The country’s experience offers insights into how revolutions intended

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/15/2026