The ruling 14-party alliance led by the Awami League has decided to ban Jamaat-Shibir, a decision that the government will implement, said Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
He stated: “In the 14-party meeting, it was decided to ban the politics of Jamaat-Shibir. The government will implement this after thoroughly reviewing the legal aspects to ensure that Jamaat has no opportunity for politics in an independent country through legal loopholes.”
Obaidul Quader made these remarks at a press briefing following a joint meeting of the Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Tuesday (30 July).
In 2013, the court canceled Jamaat’s registration with the Election Commission. Jamaat appealed the High Court’s decision, but the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division dismissed Jamaat’s appeal on 19 November 2023, upholding the cancellation of the party’s registration.
In response to the quota reform movement, the government decided to impose a curfew and deploy the army. This decision was made following a 14-party meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the night of 19 July. Ten days later, the alliance called another emergency meeting yesterday, where the decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami was made.
During the press briefing after the joint meeting on Tuesday, Obaidul Quader said: “Jamaat is a communal evil force disguised in the name of religion. Evidence of the party’s involvement in sabotage, violence, and anti-state activities has been found at various times. Therefore, the decision to ban the politics of Jamaat-Shibir was unanimously taken at the 14-party meeting.”
He urged everyone to be cautious about those spreading rumors and panic. “We all need to be vigilant. We need to be cautious about those spreading rumors and panic. This instruction has been given by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Information about them should be reported to law enforcement agencies.”
Obaidul Quader also urged law enforcement to ensure that no innocent person is arrested, saying: “The number of arrests should not increase by involving innocent people. I urge law enforcement, especially the Home Minister, to be careful so that no innocent person is arrested out of over-enthusiasm.”
