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Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister and Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque has called for a political consensus, if necessary, to ban Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, alleging that the organisations could pose a threat to Bangladesh’s social and political stability.
He made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital after visiting Sohanur Rahman, a leader of the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad who was injured in a clash with Jamaat-Shibir activists in Kushtia.
Nurul said the previous Awami League government had banned Jamaat-Shibir, while the interim government later lifted the ban. The elected government should now reconsider the issue, he said. “If necessary, political consensus should be built to ban extremist organisations like Jamaat-Shibir,” Nurul said.
He argued that Jamaat-Shibir should also face a ban over their alleged role during the 1971 Liberation War.
Referring to the ban on Awami League activities over allegations related to the mass uprising of 2024, the minister said, “There was an even more severe genocide, looting and mass rape in 1971. Jamaat-Shibir should also be banned for those reasons.”
He warned that failing to take action against the organisations could allow extremism to grow in Bangladesh and create an international image crisis for the country.
Nurul also referred to what he described as a United Nations warning that Al-Qaeda could target Bangladesh. He alleged that Jamaat-Shibir could be used as a vehicle for such activities and claimed that the organisations maintain cadres trained to handle weapons.
However, such allegations should be established through proper investigation and legal processes, rather than political assertions alone.
Nurul alleged that Jamaat-Shibir, which he described as a persecuted group during the Awami League’s rule, had turned into an “oppressive organisation” within six months of the current government taking office.
The government and political forces, he said, should resist what he described as the group’s extremist activities before they spread further.
“If we do not resist them now, they will spread like a virus and cause serious harm to society and the country,” he said.
Nurul also drew a comparison between Jamaat-Shibir and the Awami League, describing both as “fascist” organisations.
According to him, the Awami League became fascist after gaining an opportunity to exercise power, while Jamaat-Shibir, despite not being in power, had allegedly carried out activities that he said reflected its historical record of violence, rape and land grabbing.
The Gono Odhikar Parishad chief further alleged that Jamaat was seeking to exert pressure on the government to advance its political interests.
He claimed that the organisation was seeking control over Islamic banks and other financial institutions and attempting to secure shares in those institutions for its supporters.
“They want a share of power. They must not be given that opportunity in any way,” Nurul said, warning that Jamaat could create a serious crisis for the country if it gained such an opportunity.
He did not provide specific evidence to substantiate the allegations regarding attempts to take control of financial institutions.
Nurul also criticised statements allegedly made by Jamaat leader Amir Hamza during religious gatherings and Friday sermons, saying that any remarks containing hatred, division or offensive language should be resisted by the public.
He criticised Jamaat for issuing a statement in support of Amir Hamza, arguing that it demonstrated the party’s endorsement of what he described as Hamza’s “distorted mentality”.
He also referred to alleged activities involving Amir Hamza, Satkhira lawmaker Nazrul Islam and other Jamaat leaders, saying these had raised questions about the party’s moral standing.
“If Jamaat-e-Islami continues to claim that it is an Islamic party after such activities, it will be a farce,” Nurul said, calling on the party to remove the word “Islam” from its name.
Nurul further alleged that Jamaat had begun criticising the current government within six months because of its desire to gain political power.
His remarks come amid renewed political tensions involving Jamaat-Shibir and other student and political organisations. Recent clashes between Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir at several educational institutions have also raised concerns over violence on campuses.
The question of banning Jamaat-Shibir has a long and contentious history in Bangladesh. The Awami League-led government banned Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir in July 2024, but the decision was subsequently revoked after the change of government in August that year.
The issue remains politically sensitive, with arguments over the organisations’ historical role, alleged involvement in violence and their place in Bangladesh’s democratic political system continuing to divide political opinion.