Jamaat’s Krishna Nandi alleges death threats, orchestrated smear campaign

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Khulna-1 parliamentary candidate, Krishna Nandi, has alleged that he is facing death threats, harassment, and a planned smear campaign after his nomination sparked nationwide attention.

Addressing a press conference at the Khulna Press Club on Thursday afternoon, December 12, Krishna Nandi claimed that Shipon Kumar, founding president of an organisation named World Hindu Struggle, had repeatedly phoned him, hurled obscene abuse, and threatened to kill him.

“Shipon Kumar obtained my phone number through various channels and called me several times,” Krishna Nandi said.

“He used foul language and threatened to kill me, questioning why I, as a Hindu, joined Jamaat-e-Islami and ‘became controversial’ for Hinduism. His words were extremely aggressive and targeted.”

Krishna said the threats were not isolated incidents but part of a wider attempt to pressure him and intimidate his supporters.

The Jamaat candidate also alleged that a vested quarter was orchestrating a disinformation campaign to damage his rising public image.

“Out of jealousy over my popularity, some groups are trying to tarnish my reputation,” he said. “AI-generated images are being created and circulated through different media outlets and social media platforms to mislead the public and malign my character. I condemn these acts and urge people not to fall for such fabricated propaganda.”

He added that several of the fabricated visuals were designed to portray him as controversial within the Hindu community, even though, he said, the response from Hindu voters had been overwhelmingly positive since his nomination.

Krishan was announced as Jamaat’s official candidate for Khulna-1 (Dakope-Batiaghata) by Jamaat Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the conclusion of the eight-party divisional conference in Khulna on December 1.

He said his nomination sends a clear message that Jamaat-e-Islami is committed to non-communal politics.

“For Jamaat, there is no difference between Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians or ethnic communities,” he said. “My nomination has created a significant wave of support from Hindus across the country. Many see it as a strong signal that the party values equal representation.”

Addressing rumours of internal division, Krishna Nandi stressed that there is no misunderstanding between him and Jamaat’s earlier candidate, Maulana Sheikh Mohammad Abu Yusuf.

“Maulana Yusuf supported me immediately after the change of candidacy,” he said. “We are campaigning together, united and focused. There is no disagreement between us.”

Krishan urged authorities to ensure his safety and to take necessary action against those responsible for issuing threats and circulating disinformation.

He also called on the public to remain cautious about attempts to incite communal tension ahead of the polls.

“Such conspiracies are aimed at dividing communities and derailing the democratic process,” he said. “I urge everyone to remain alert and not be influenced by malicious or fabricated claims.”