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A checkered history: Jamaat was first banned for exploiting religion and now for anarchy

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Jamaat-e-Islami has faced multiple bans due to its opposition to the liberation war and alleged misuse of religion for political gain

Staff Correspondent

Publisted at 5:54 PM, Thu Aug 1st, 2024

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, a controversial political party in Bangladesh, that was banned by an executive order on 1 August due to their involvement in violence and subversive activities surrounding the quota reform movement, has had a complex relationship with the nation since its inception. 

Opposed to the country's 1971 liberation war, the party was subsequently outlawed for exploiting religion for political ends.

A constitutional ban on such practices in 1972 formally prohibited Jamaat's activities. 

However, following the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, the party was resurrected when military ruler Ziaur Rahman lifted the ban on religion-based politics. 

Jamaat has since fluctuated between periods of electoral success and political marginalisation. 

The party has been a key ally of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with its members holding ministerial positions in coalition governments.

Nevertheless, the party's fortunes took a dramatic turn in 2013 when the High Court declared its registration illegal, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. 

This ruling effectively barred Jamaat from contesting elections under its own banner, although its members have continued to participate in politics through other means.

Beyond Jamaat, Bangladesh has also grappled with a number of extremist groups. 

These include Hizb ut-Tahrir, Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, (JMB), Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI B), Shahadat-e-Al-Hikma, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Ansarullah Bangla Team, Ansar Al Islam, Allah's Party, and Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hind al-Sharqiya.

A series of bans have been imposed on these organisations to curb militancy.

Under the current Awami League government, 10 extremist and militant organisations have been banned.

 

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