Jamaat-e-Islami’s “Gym for Women’s Health” Comment Sparks Online Trolls Amid Manifesto Confusion

Tariq Bhat (Public Opinion)

 

 

In a recent interview with a local news portal, a Jamaat-e-Islami assembly candidate raised eyebrows with an unusual response to a question regarding their party’s manifesto.

 

 

When asked about the key points of their agenda, the candidate quoted, “Our manifesto is a gym for women, so they can achieve good health.” The comment has since gone viral on social media, where it has sparked a wave of trolling and criticism, leaving many questioning the party’s understanding of its own political program.

 

 

 

Jamaat-e-Islami, once a staunch opponent of participating in Indian elections, is now facing backlash over what critics perceive as a lack of clarity and seriousness in their political goals. Historically, the organization had deemed voting and participation in elections not just Haram (forbidden in Islam) but also issued threats to those who chose to vote, branding them as collaborators of the Indian state.

 

 

 

This hardline stance has caused many to be taken aback by their new-found engagement in the political process, especially given the perceived lack of direction in their election strategy.

 

 

 

The video, which has circulated widely across social media platforms, has led to widespread mockery and criticism, with many questioning whether Jamaat-e-Islami understands the role of a party manifesto, which traditionally outlines the key policies and principles a party promises to deliver upon if elected.

 

 

 

 

 

Critics have also pointed out the party’s inconsistency regarding elections. In a separate interview, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader stated that they were never opposed to elections per se, but were “cheated” in the 1987 elections, where Farooq Abdullah was reappointed as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. That election is widely perceived to have been rigged, and the alleged manipulation has been cited as a major catalyst for the insurgency that erupted in the Kashmir Valley shortly after.

 

 

 

 

With the elections approaching, the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership now finds itself defending not only its controversial past but also its current political stance.

 

 

 

As the viral clip continues to be circulated, questions loom large: How can a party that once rejected elections and appears uncertain about its own manifesto be trusted to represent the people? The ongoing debate has left many wondering about Jamaat-e-Islami’s true political vision for the future.