Latest news with #Jamaat
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Jamaat condemns incidents of violence against Muslims
The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a leading Muslim body, has said that recent incidents of violence against minorities are 'highly disturbing'. Referring to an incident in Aligarh where an angry mob accused four Muslim men of transporting beef and allegedly stripped them, and beat them with belts and sticks, the Jamaat vice-president Malik Motasim Khan said, 'It's highly disturbing but even more shocking is that the police registered cases against both the attackers and the victims under the Cow Slaughter Act. This is a total miscarriage of justice. Such actions embolden anti-social elements.' The police had earlier filed complaints against 38 people in the assault case under Sections 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (unlawful assembly), 190 (unlawful assembly to commit an offence), 109 (attempt to murder), 308 (extortion), 310(2) (robbery) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A meat sample was sent to a laboratory in Mathura. Following its examination, it was found that the meat was not beef. According to Mr. Khan, the Aligarh incident is not an isolated case of violence against the community members. 'India has witnessed a disturbing pattern of mob lynchings and hate crimes against Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalised groups in recent years, often under the guise of cow protection or love jihad. From the lynching of Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal, Karnataka, to the brutal killing of Ashraf in Mangaluru, to communal clashes in Nagpur and the targeted harassment of Kashmiri Muslims across the country, these incidents are a stain on our nation's conscience. Despite the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling against mob lynching, compliance remains patchy, and accountability is rare,' he said. Also read | Demolition squad: On the Supreme Court and 'bulldozer justice' The Jamaat vice-president reiterated the organisation's demand for strict enforcement of anti-lynching provisions. 'The fear of the law needs to be reinforced, and a climate of impunity dismantled. The targeting of Muslims not only erodes the fabric of our secular democracy but also threatens India's unity and security. The government must act swiftly, hold the perpetrators accountable, ensure the safety of minorities, and restore public faith in justice and the rule of law,' he said. The Jamaat also condemned what it called 'bulldozer injustice'. 'The Jamaat condemns the ongoing illegal and inhumane demolitions of Muslim properties, homes, and educational institutions, particularly the recent bulldozer actions in Uttar Pradesh.' Mr. Khan highlighted the alleged singling out of madrasas or Islamic seminaries for punitive action. 'A recent fact-finding visit by a JIH delegation to districts like Bahraich and Shravasti revealed that several madrasas with valid registrations and approval have been sealed or demolished without due process, violating the fundamental rights of Muslim citizens. These demolitions, often justified under the guise of 'law and order' or 'illegal construction', disproportionately target minorities, especially Muslims. The practice of using bulldozers as instruments of punishment without trial or due process has turned the police and administration into judge, jury, and executioner. This is a clear violation of constitutional norms and a grave threat to our democratic fabric,' he said, adding, 'The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind reiterates the Supreme Court observation that 'properties cannot be demolished merely because they belong to a person accused of a crime'. We urge the administration to adhere to the guidelines issued by the apex court to uphold the rule of law by preventing arbitrary demolitions.' Also read | 75% of hate speech events in BJP-ruled States: Report Mr. Khan alleged that 'demolition drives often take place in the aftermath of incidents of communal violence, where minority homes and institutions are selectively targeted, while the perpetrators of violence enjoy complete impunity. These actions create an environment of fear and insecurity within the Muslim community'. He demanded an immediate halt to bulldozer actions and sought accountability of officials responsible for demolition.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- General
- Business Standard
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh makes political comeback: Decoding its history
Bangladesh's Supreme Court has reinstated the political registration of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir — two organisations long banned for their alleged links to extremism and their open rejection of the country's secular principles. The verdict, which follows an earlier decision by the Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government to lift the ban, marks Jamaat's return to the political mainstream after over a decade in the shadows. With this legal clearance, the Islamist party is now eligible to contest national elections — a development being watched closely in India's strategic and security circles. A return rooted in history Founded in 1941 by Islamist ideologue Abul Ala Maududi in pre-Partition India, Jamaat-e-Islami entered East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) politics with a mission to create an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. Its role in Bangladesh's Liberation War, however, would etch its name into the nation's darkest chapters. During the 1971 war, Jamaat and its allied militias — most notoriously the Razakars, al-Badr, and al-Shams — collaborated with the Pakistani Army in committing widespread atrocities. These included targeted killings of intellectuals, mass rapes, and the massacre of Hindu minorities. Following Bangladesh's independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's government banned Jamaat under Article 38 of the new Constitution for its religious foundations and wartime role. The party's leadership either fled or went underground. However, the ban was lifted after Sheikh Mujib's assassination. In 1977, President Ziaur Rahman's military regime removed secularism from Bangladesh's Constitution and allowed religion-based political parties to function. Jamaat re-emerged and aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), eventually securing ministerial posts in BNP-led governments. Decades later, the War Crimes Tribunal launched in 2009 by the government of Sheikh Hasina - daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - led to the conviction of top Jamaat leaders. Ghulam Azam, Motiur Rahman Nizami, and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed were convicted for genocide, rape, and crimes against humanity. These convictions triggered mass protests, known as the Shahbagh movement, demanding the party's permanent exclusion from politics. Jamaat was formally deregistered in 2013 and designated a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act on August 1, 2024. The ban, however, was short-lived and was lifted on August 28 the same year by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. A return fuelled by a political vacuum Jamaat's resurgence is not happening in isolation. It follows months of political turmoil in Bangladesh, sparked by anti-quota protests that quickly evolved into a nationwide anti-government movement in 2024. The unrest left more than 400 people dead and forced Sheikh Hasina into self-imposed exile. Her party, the Awami League, has since been banned. The void has been filled — swiftly and deliberately — by Islamist factions. Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir are believed to have played a pivotal role in mobilising student protests. According to an India Today report, 'Islami Chhatra Shibir cadres were admitted to many universities in Bangladesh from where they instigated students against the government.' With the Awami League out of the frame, the caretaker administration under Muhammad Yunus has moved to mainstream Jamaat — a party it sees as both ideologically aligned and politically useful. Observers say this is less a case of national reconciliation and more an effort to consolidate power in a fragmented landscape. Concerns in India For New Delhi, Jamaat's re-entry into Bangladeshi politics is far from a procedural change in a neighbouring country. It represents a potential strategic reversal. India had long viewed the Hasina-led government as a dependable partner — on issues ranging from counterterrorism and intelligence sharing to border stability and regional trade. Jamaat's ideological leanings, its pro-Pakistan posture, and its history of minority persecution place it at direct odds with India's security interests. The concern is twofold. First, the 4,000-km border between the two countries — particularly in West Bengal and Assam — has a history of porous movement, infiltration, and communal tension. Second, security agencies fear that Jamaat's return could renew radicalisation networks, create safe passage for militants, and embolden attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu community — potentially triggering refugee flows into India. Jamaat's global web Jamaat-e-Islami's influence is not confined to Bangladesh. In Pakistan, it continues to exert influence through its student wing, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, and also maintains ideological linkages with groups such as Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. In the West, Jamaat has built soft-power networks through the diaspora. In the UK and US, the group operates through religious and cultural organisations, and has been known to lobby policymakers under the banner of minority rights and democratic inclusion. Washington has often pressured Dhaka to include Jamaat in the democratic process, viewing the ban as undemocratic — a position that sits uncomfortably with India, given the party's history. More recently, Jamaat attracted headlines for proposing an 'independent Rohingya state' during meetings in Dhaka with a Chinese Communist Party delegation. While largely symbolic, the statement adds to the region's growing instability, especially as armed groups like the Arakan Army gain control in Myanmar's border areas. (With agency inputs)
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Bangladesh's On 'Reset': Hasina On Trial, Return Of Jamaat, Bangabandhu's Legacy Erased
Last Updated: The realignment is particularly significant for India as Bangladesh now seems to be going against all the ideas that made it a friendly neighbour Bangladesh is undergoing a dramatic political and geopolitical realignment: ouster, ban and now trial for 'crimes against humanity" for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina; destruction of Bangabandhu's (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) residence, statues, murals and now erasing his legacy; lifting the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami and allowing it to register as a political party among other changes. The realignment is particularly significant for India as Bangladesh now seems to be going against all the ideas that made it a friendly neighbour. In less than a year since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the country has seen the unthinkable – Hasina facing trial for alleged mass murder, the Jamaat poised to return to electoral politics, and the conscious removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image from currency notes. On Monday, the office of chief adviser Muhammad Yunus posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) stating that Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur, accompanied by finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, law adviser Asif Nazrul, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) affairs adviser Supradip Chakma and local government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, handed over images of six newly designed banknotes. This was following a meeting of the advisory council at Yunus's office, and the new currencies now represent Bangladesh's heritage replacing Bangabandhu's portraits. Once the architect of Bangladesh's war crimes tribunal, she now finds herself a defendant before the same institution, the convicted 'war criminals' or 'razakars' walked out of prison. The charges against Hasina stem from the deadly crackdown on protesters during the mass uprising last year, which eventually led to her ouster on August 5, 2024. Symbolically and institutionally, it is a turning of the tables – a dismantling of Hasina and her Awami League legacy using the tools she once wielded to consolidate power. JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI The return of Jamaat-e-Islami to the political fold signals the most profound shift in everything Bangladesh ever stood for. The Jamaat-e-Islami, or Jamaat – known as an offshoot of Jamaat-e-Pakistan – is a political party from the erstwhile East Pakistan that opposed the formation of Bangladesh. Once vilified for its role in the 1971 Liberation War and banned from politics, the party is now being rehabilitated into the mainstream. It is a controversial move, deeply polarising in a country where collective memory of 1971 still shapes its political landscape. Yet, the interim government appears unfazed and determined, perhaps, to move Bangladesh toward a new political compact that transcends the long-standing binary of the Awami League and BNP. Nowhere is this transformation more symbolically potent than in the deliberate removal of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image from currency notes. In a country where his likeness was once sacrosanct, this does not seem like a minor bureaucratic decision. It is an ideological shift – an attempt to reset the nation's foundational narrative. The interim regime is not just managing a transition, it is reimagining and resetting the national memory itself. FACING ELECTION HEAT AT HOME, YUNUS LOOKS ABROAD Yunus, meanwhile, is now positioning himself as Bangladesh's global statesman. His recent visit to Japan, capped by a billion-dollar economic support package, was as much about attracting investment as it was about affirming legitimacy on the world stage. His current meeting with the Chinese minister-led delegation and blueprint of further collaboration added to this new affirmation. He is trying to deploy his international reputation – and Nobel Prize pedigree – to recast Bangladesh not as a crisis-ridden state but as a reformist project under careful stewardship. And yet, for all its velocity, this reset carries risk of a region plunging into instability yet again. The erasure of icons, the deliberate rehabilitation of political pariahs, and the trial of a former PM are not mere procedural acts – they are foundational decisions. The interim government is now scripting a new Bangladesh, but whether that script leads to national healing or renewed polarisation will depend on what comes next – elections, accountability, and a broader societal consensus. At this moment, the country is not just in transition but is actively rewriting the terms of its political identity even as the world is watching. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : 360 degree view bangladesh Muhammad Yunus Sheikh Hasina Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 03, 2025, 07:30 IST News world Bangladesh's On 'Reset': Hasina On Trial, Return Of Jamaat, Bangabandhu's Legacy Erased
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Shifting tides
Bangladesh's Supreme Court has restored the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, more than a decade after it was barred from the political arena. The decision, which follows the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's government last August in a students-led uprising, marks a pivotal moment in the nation's political realignment. Restoring the once-barred entity is a symbolic reversal of a political order that had sought to marginalise the party from national discourse. Under Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, Jamaat was systematically targeted, its leaders prosecuted for war crimes and its influence curtailed. Critics argued this was a necessary reckoning with history. Supporters, however, viewed it as political vengeance dressed in judicial robes. Now, with Hasina in exile and facing charges, the tables are turning rapidly. Ironically, the Awami League itself has been banned pending legal proceedings, leaving the political field wide open. This moment is as fragile as it is historic. The interim government's promise of elections by June next year provides a sliver of hope for a return to democratic normalcy. But history in Bangladesh has shown that transitions rarely proceed smoothly. Jamaat's return to the electoral process may inflame old tensions, particularly among those who still see the party through the lens of its role in the 1971 liberation war. Yet, the question today is not merely whether Jamaat should or should not participate in, it is whether Bangladesh can build a truly pluralistic political culture that transcends revenge and repression. The banning of the Awami League, just as the Jamaat returns, must be viewed with equal scrutiny. No democracy can thrive by simply rotating bans on its major political forces. Whether the nation can find solid ground again will depend on its ability to uphold the rule of law and resist the temptation to silence dissent regardless of who holds power.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Bangladeshs top court lifts ban on largest Muslim party
The Jamaat-e-Islami party was outlawed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government for its role in war crimes against Bangladeshis in 1971 Bangladesh's top court on Sunday reversed a previous ruling that paves the way for Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party that was banned by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, to regain its status as a registered political party. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court overturned a High Court judgment from 2013 that had declared Jamaat's registration as a political party illegal, local media reported, citing the order. The court also directed the election commission to officially reinstate the registration of Jamaat, thereby enabling it to contest elections, including at the national parliamentary level. Jamaat's registration was revoked through politically motivated public interest litigation, and Sunday's verdict has ensured that a multi-party democratic and participatory parliament is established, lawyers for the party were quoted as saying. The party was an active anti-liberation force during Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War as a result of which the country gained independence from Pakistan. Its registration with the election commission was canceled in 2013, following a lengthy legal process. In August 2024, days before the Awami League government led by Hasina was ousted from power, it banned all activities by Jamaat and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, under anti-terrorism laws. The Hasina government held Jamaat responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 war, as per the verdicts of several cases delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal set up specifically to try those accused of war crimes. Days after taking power following Hasina's ouster, the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, reversed the earlier decision and lifted the ban on the political activities of the party and affiliated organizations. Sunday's ruling by the Supreme Court comes amid ongoing political instability in Bangladesh, which, according to local media, stems from the reluctance of the Yunus administration to announce elections in the country. In a separate development, the same International Crimes Tribunal that earlier convicted Jamaat leaders issued arrest warrants on Sunday for former Prime Minister Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with their alleged involvement in suppressing a major uprising in July 2024. The tribunal's ruling has cleared the way for Hasina to stand trial. Dhaka previously sent a diplomatic note to New Delhi requesting Hasina's return to face trial, to which the Indian government has not formally responded so far. (
