Jamaat-e-Islami party banned after violent protests in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has taken decisive action against the Jamaat-e-Islami party, banning it outright. The move comes in response to the violent protests that erupted over government job quotas, which resulted in a tragic loss of lives of at least 150 people.

The ruling Awami League-led coalition, during a meeting on Tuesday (July 30) chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, blamed Jamaat-e-Islami of exploiting the protests and instigating violence.

The Jamaat-e-Islami party was founded in 1941 in undivided India under British rule.

Law Minister Anisul Huq announced that the ban would be implemented through an executive order with effect from Wednesday (July 31).

On Tuesday, Hasina's Awami League-led 14-party alliance passed a resolution calling for the banning of Jamaat, an ally of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh National Party (BNP), from politics.

However, the student protesters have denied any connection to the violence, while evidence reportedly links these groups to the unrest.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, said, “The government would make sure legal considerations to ensure the ban on Jamaat-Shibir is implemented effectively, preventing the group from exploiting any legal loopholes.”

He further said that the ban is planned to eliminate anti-national elements from Bangladeshpolitics.

It is worth mentioning here, what began as student unrest on university grounds escalated into widespread public dissent against Prime Minister Hasina's administration, eventually erupting in violent clashes.

The government had to deploy the army to handle the unrest, which resulted in several casualties and damage to major government facilities.

PM Hasina, resolved to ban Jamaat-Shibir to address what they view as extremist threats to national security.

Notably, the decision follows a prior High Court ruling in 2018 that canceled Jamaat’s registration, disqualifying it from participating in elections.

This move also aligns with earlier rulings and trials against Jamaat leaders for crimes committed during Bangladesh's 1971 independence war.

(With inputs from agencies)