The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on Thursday afternoon, officially banning Jamaat-e-Islami, its student wing Chhatra Shibir, and associated organizations.
This ban follows longstanding demands from various quarters, including freedom fighters, to prohibit the political activities of Jamaat-e-Islami.
The ban, enforced under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, aims to halt the activities of groups opposing the country's independence.
The executive order effectively outlaws all operations and affiliations related to Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as its student and other organizational branches.
Here is the timeline of events leading to the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.
2008: Jamaat gets registration on November 4, 2008, with registration number 14.
January, 2009: A writ filed challenging the decision to grant registration to Jamaat.
January 27, 2009: High Court issues a rule seeking to know why the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami should not to be declared illegal as per the the Representation of the People Order.
2010-2012: Jamaat submitted amendments to their constitution to the Election Commission twice in July and November of 2010, and twice in October and November of 2012.
2013: Despite demands to ban the Jamaat's politics over the years, a strong demand emerged from the Shahbagh movement in to ban the party. The government proposes amending the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to bring the organization under trial along with individuals.
March 2014: The investigation agency submits a report to the chief prosecutor of the tribunal, accusing Jamaat-e-Islami of crimes against humanity.
August 1, 2013: the High Court ruled to cancel and declare illegal Jamaat-e-Islami's registration.
November 2, 2013: Full verdict published.
October 28, 2018: EC issues a gazette notification canceling Jamaat’s registration.
January, 2019: Law Minister Anisul Haque says the government drafted a law to ban Jamaat, which would be presented to the cabinet for approval.
February 6, 2019: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentions in Parliament that the decision to ban Jamaat would depend on a court ruling.
June 11, 2023: Anisul Haque says that the process of amending the law to prosecute Jamaat as war criminals was ongoing.
June 26, 2023: An appeal was filed in the appellate court requesting a ban on all political activities of Jamaat until the final resolution of the ongoing registration case.
November 19, 2023: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upholds High Court verdict of cancelling the registration of Jamaat and dismisses the appeal to ban all political activities of Jamaat.
July 29, 2024: The Awami League-led 14-party alliance decides to ban Jamaat.
August 1, 2024: Government issues a gazette notification banning Jamaat under Anti-Terrorism Act-2009.