The political allies of Awami League have claimed that a conspiracy is on against the process of banning Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party, adding that a quarter of the government was against such a ban.
Leaders of the 14-party alliance said there was a national consensus in support of banning the party, adding that there was no scope for the government to make an about-turn regarding the issue. There would be misconception among the public if the government was to change its stance against the Jamaat, they added.
The comments came following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent comment about the legal barrier against trying Jamaat under the tribunal law.
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon told the Dhaka Tribune it was possible to ban the Islamist party under the existing laws of the country.
“The legal ground that has been brought up by the prime minister will not create any barrier. It will not create any contradiction,” said Menon, also the tourism minister; adding that they wanted to see legal action for banning the party that was involved with war crimes.
“The people of the country want Jamaat to be banned as a political party. We hope the government will take action as soon as possible,” he said.
Sharif Nurul Ambiya, general secretary of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, claimed that a conspiracy had been planned at a time when a national consensus was made in favour of banning Jamaat
He added that his party respected the premier’s statement as it might have a legal ground, but claimed that the law minister’s comment was “questionable.”
“The statement of law minister has proven that there is a quarter in the government who do not agree on banning Jamaat,” Ambiya said.
On Wednesday, referring to a pending case at the Supreme Court about cancelling the registration of Jamaat as a political party, Law Minister Anisul Huq said Jamaat cannot be tried now under the tribunal law as it lacks provision for the purpose.
Nurur Rahman Selim, general secretary of Ganatantri Party, said the law minister’s statement has created confusion among the people and it also has raised questions on the war crimes trials.
“This statement is contradictory to public demand,” he said.
The Ganatantri Party leader urged the government to take necessary steps for banning all political parties that were involved with war crimes, saying: “We do not want to see any statement. We want to see Jamaat as a banned political party.”
On Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, however, defended Anisul’s comment about Jamaat issue.
In a press conference at Ganabhaban, the premier said: “Our minister has said the right thing. A writ [on Jamaat’s registration] is pending with the higher court. And the government has nothing to do until judgement of the case is delivered. Two similar cases cannot run simultaneously.”