- By Shivangi Sharma
- Sun, 25 Jan 2026 01:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Afzal Hossain, a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate from the Barguna-2 constituency in southern Bangladesh, has triggered controversy after allegedly calling for the exclusion of religious minorities, including Hindus, from Parliament and advocating a governance system strictly based on the Quran.
According to viral clips from a campaign rally, Hossain reportedly told supporters: “In a country where nearly 80 per cent of the population is Muslim, there should be no non-believer or ‘immoral’ representative in Parliament. Do you want the Quran or do you want deviation?”
The remarks have quickly circulated on social media, drawing criticism and raising concerns about minority rights and secular principles in Bangladesh’s political system.
Calls For Quran-Based Governance
In his speech, Hossain allegedly asserted that Jamaat-e-Islami would establish a parliamentary system governed by Quranic principles, framing the upcoming election as a choice between faith and moral decline. He rejected the idea of a constitutional framework and reportedly supported Quran-based punishments, including the cutting off of thieves’ hands, claiming such measures would eliminate crime.
“At a country where nearly 80 per cent of the population is Muslim, there can never be an irreligious or indecent parliamentarian. There can be no constitution,” Hossain is heard saying in the clips.
ALSO READ: 'China Will Eat Canada Alive': Trump Explodes Again, Threatens Brutal 100% Tariffs Over Trade Deal
Who is Afzal Hossain?
Afzal Hossain is representing Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political party that has historically advocated for a stronger role of religion in governance. The party, despite legal challenges and partial bans in the past, continues to maintain a presence in Bangladeshi politics.
Hossain’s comments have now put him in the national spotlight, fueling debates over the role of religion in politics, minority representation, and the balance between secular governance and Islamic principles in Bangladesh.