Ban on jihadi ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ party lifted in Bangladesh

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Bangladesh’s interim government lifted the ban on jamaat-e-Islami party. It was banned by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 1^stAugust. Bangladesh’s Home Ministry issued a notice saying that it has not found any evidence of involvement of the Jamaat-e-Islami party and its affiliated organisations in terrorist activities and hence the ban is being lifted.

Jamaat-e-Islami has been barred from contesting elections since 2013

In 2013, the High Court had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami from contesting elections on the ground that its manifesto was in violation of the Constitution of the state. In 2018, them Election Commission had also cancelled the registration of the Jamaat. Though the present interim government has lifted the ban on Jamaat, the ban on it contesting the election continues. The party will file a petition in the Supreme Court next week to lift the ban on contesting elections.

Leader of a hardliner organisation released on parole

The interim government has released Jasimuddin Rahmani, the head of the extremist group Sarullah Bangla Team (A.B.T.), on parole (leaving the detainee out for a few days on conditions for good behaviour). The group also has links with Al-Qaeda. Sheikh Hasina’s government had banned the Ansarullah Bangla Team in India in 2015. This organisation is accused of spreading terror in India too. Many cadres of the organisation have been arrested In India. Jasimuddin was sentenced to five years in prison for abetment to murder. He was released in January this year; However, he was arrested in another case.

Editorial Perspective

Lifting the ban on the jihadi party is a sign that those who commit violence in Bangladesh have been supported ! It will not be surprising if Hindus in Bangladesh disappear in the future !