The government has issued a circular banning Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.

This circular was announced this afternoon by the Ministry of Home Affairs. With this announcement, the activities of the party opposing independence are now prohibited.

For a long time, various groups, including freedom fighters, have been demanding the ban on Jamaat’s politics.

Now, through an executive order under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and their other affiliated organizations have been banned.

After receiving legal opinions on this matter from the Ministry of Home Affairs earlier today, Law Minister Anisul Huq told reporters that Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and all related organizations will no longer be allowed to engage in politics under these names.

Several government ministers have linked Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, to violence during the quota reform protests.

This led the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to ban both organizations last Monday. This ban has now been formalized through an executive order.

Jamaat's registration was revoked in 2013 due to a court decision, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in November 2023.

Additionally, several top Jamaat leaders have been executed for war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

The Law Ministry has drafted a proposal to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to hold Jamaat accountable for war crimes, but this proposal has yet to see any progress.

Law Minister Anisul Huq has stated that they will advance on this matter as well. He told Prothom Alo last Tuesday, "Jamaat-e-Islami is being banned. However, Jamaat-e-Islami committed crimes against humanity and war crimes as a party during the 1971 Liberation War. The government will now take steps to address these war crimes allegations from that time.” he said.

For this purpose, said Huq, they will also take steps to finalize the draft proposal for amending the International Crimes Tribunal Act.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, issued a statement strongly condemning and protesting against the executive order banning the political activities of his party.

Dr. Rahman accused the government of “orchestrating massacres through party cadres and law enforcement to suppress the student community's non-political protests.”

He noted that teachers, cultural figures, journalists, and professionals across the country are condemning these acts of mass violence. The international community has also denounced the recent bloodshed, he added.

According to Dr. Rahman, the government is attempting to divert attention from its actions by banning 'Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami' and 'Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir' to conceal its wrongdoings.

He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami is a comprehensive Islamic movement that has operated systematically, democratically, and peacefully in independent Bangladesh.

“The party has made significant contributions to the education and health sectors and has consistently supported the poor and vulnerable, he said, adding that the party has played a key role in promoting the rule of law, justice, and human rights in the country.

“It has participated in every legitimate election in Bangladesh and had representation in those parliaments. The party’s two ministers have set notable examples of honesty, integrity, and transparency in managing important ministries,” said the Amir.

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