Точка Синхронізації

Women’s rights activists and secular citizens staged a torch-lit march through the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, at midnight on Wednesday to voice their mounting concerns over the rising political influence of the Jamaat-e-Islami party ahead of the nationwide elections scheduled for Thursday. The demonstration was organized to demand gender equality and the protection of civil liberties as the country prepares for its first free and fair polls in 17 years. This political shift follows the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s long-standing administration, which had suppressed Islamist factions for over a decade, creating a power vacuum that more conservative religious groups are now seeking to fill. The resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami indicates a significant shift in the Bangladeshi political landscape, as the party is expected to capture an unprecedented share of the vote. Under the previous government, the group faced extreme pressure; its senior leaders were executed for war crimes dating back to the 1971 liberation war, and the party was largely driven underground. However, many voters now view the party's organization and discipline as a viable alternative to the corruption associated with the previous regime, even as activists warn that their fundamentalist ideology could jeopardize decades of progress in women's education and workforce participation. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, as the outcome of the Thursday election will determine whether Bangladesh continues on a secular path or pivots toward a more conservative, faith-based governance model. For the women who marched in Dhaka, the stakes are deeply personal, involving the right to move freely, work, and exist in public spaces without religious oversight. As the polls open, the nation remains on edge, balancing the hope for a return to democratic norms with the fear that newfound freedoms may lead to the institutionalization of restrictive social policies.