The Bangladesh government has announced a ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami political party, effective immediately.
The decision comes in response to the widespread and violent protests that erupted over government job quotas, which resulted in at least 150 fatalities.
The ruling Awami League-led coalition, during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accused Jamaat-e-Islami, which was founded in 1941 in undivided India under British rule, of exploiting the protests and instigating violence.
Law Minister Anisul Huq announced that the ban would be implemented through an executive order effective Wednesday.
Hasina’s Awami League-led 14-party alliance on Tuesday, passed a resolution that Jamaat, an ally of former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh National Party (BNP), must be banned from politics.
The government accuses Jamaat-e-Islami, along with its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and the militant student faction Chhatra Dal, of instigating the violence during the protests.
The student protesters have denied any connection to the violence, while evidence reportedly links these groups to the unrest.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also the Road Transport Minister, said the government would carefully examine legal considerations to ensure the ban on Jamaat-Shibir is implemented effectively, preventing the group from exploiting any legal loopholes.
He stated that the ban is intended to remove anti-national elements from Bangladeshi politics.
The student protests, which began in universities and colleges, escalated into widespread agitation against Prime Minister Hasina and her government, leading to violent clashes.
The government deployed the army to manage the unrest, which resulted in numerous casualties and damage to major government facilities.
The 14-party alliance, led by Sheikh Hasina, resolved to ban Jamaat-Shibir to address what they view as extremist threats to national security.
The decision follows a previous High Court ruling in 2018 that annulled Jamaat’s registration, disqualifying it from participating in elections.
This move also aligns with earlier rulings and trials against Jamaat leaders for crimes committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war.
(With Inputs from PTI)