Bangladesh govt. had banned JI on Aug 1, 2024 for its terrorist activities. Ex-PM Hasina had alleged JI and BNP’s involvement in recent violence

• Gen. Zaman, appointed as Army Chief, on June 11, held meeting with JI and BNP leaders soon after Sheikh Hasina resigned under the military pressure – Media reports

Monitoring Desk    

Dhaka

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Bangladesh National Party (BNP) were behind the bloody violence in Bangladesh that resulted in ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, who had been promoted and appointed as the Army Chief on June 11, 2024, was in close contact with the two parties, the media reports suggest.

Soon after Prime Minister Hasina tendered resignation under the military pressure and left the country for India in an army helicopter on Monday August 5, 2024, Gen. Zaman immediately had held meeting with the leaders of JI and BNP.

The Bangladesh government had imposed ban on JI for its terrorist activities in the past and again very recently on August 1, 2024.

Media Reports

The Indian Express has reported quoting the Associated Press that JI has allied with the BNP in the past but was banned from participating in national elections in 2013. It was found that the party’s constitution violated the national constitution by opposing secularism.

Despite the restriction, the party was allowed to conduct political activities, such as holding meetings and rallies. Amid the 2024 protests, Sheikh Hasina alleged that the party and its student wing Chhatra Shibir were exploiting the protests and instigating violence. The government banned the party last week.

Under the title “What is Jamaat-e-Islami? The Pakistan-linked terror outfit that brought Bangladesh to its knees”, Business Today reported that the organization was initially banned by the first Bangladeshi government for collaborating with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War.

On August 1, 2024, the Bangladesh government officially banned Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Chhatra Shibir, designating them as terrorist organizations under Section 18/1 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009. This decision, confirmed by a notification from the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, follows years of allegations and legal actions against the group. The government accused the party of instigating violent protests that resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and injuries to thousands more. The protests were sparked by a quota system for government jobs.

Jamaat-e-Islami was founded by Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi, a figure associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, with the mission of establishing an Islamic state. The name translates to “congregation of Islam,” while Chhatra Shibir, its student wing, means “student camp.”

Jamaat-e-Islami’s activities have been controversial since Bangladesh’s independence. The organization was initially banned by the first government led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for collaborating with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War. Jamaat members were implicated in forming auxiliary forces such as Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and the Peace Committee, which were involved in atrocities against Bengali freedom fighters, particularly targeting Hindus.

In 2013, the Election Commission of Bangladesh canceled Jamaat’s registration following a court ruling, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division in 2023. The latest ban follows recommendations from the law ministry and a decision by the 14-party alliance, led by the Awami League, amidst accusations of Jamaat’s involvement in violence surrounding the quota reform movement.

Jamaat-e-Islami has established a significant presence beyond Bangladesh. In Pakistan, it remains a prominent political force, despite its involvement in militant activities through its student wing, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba. The organization has connections with various militant groups, including Gaza-based Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

In Europe and the United States, Jamaat-e-Islami has established a network through South Asian immigrant communities. It is particularly active in the United Kingdom, where it influences Islamic organizations and community politics. The United States has been a strong advocate for Jamaat’s political participation, often urging Bangladesh to lift restrictions on the group.

Following the recent ban, Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies initiated a crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliates. Offices and publication houses associated with the group were targeted as authorities sought to dismantle its operations within the country. Despite these efforts, reports suggest that Jamaat activists were attempting to mobilize and protest in various regions.

The government’s decisive actions, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aimed to curb the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami, a group historically linked to violence and extremism. However, the organization’s deep-rooted connections and support base present ongoing challenges as Bangladesh navigates its political and security landscape.

The Indian Express in an earlier report said: 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, 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.

WHAT HAS HASINA SAID RECENTLY?

According to a report carried by to the Arab News Pakistan, Hasina, 76, and her government initially said students were not involved in the violence during the quota protests and blamed the Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the clashes and arson.

Hasina said that “those who are carrying out violence are not students but terrorists who are out to destabilize the nation.”

The students group declined Hasina’s offer for talks to resolve the crisis.

Meanwhile, BNP said 10 million party workers were on the run ahead of the election with nearly 25,000 arrested following deadly anti-government protests. Hasina blamed the BNP for instigating anti-government protests that rocked Dhaka ahead of the election.

New Army Chief

On June 11, 2024, the BSS reported that the government has named Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman as the new Chief of Army Staff.

“Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, has been promoted to general post and appointed as the Chief of Army Staff for three years from afternoon of June 23,” said a gazette notification of Defence Ministry.

Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman assumed the duties of Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army on 01 January 2024.

An alumnus of Bangladesh Military Academy, the General was commissioned in the Corps of Infantry on 20 December 1985.

In his military career, Lieutenant General Waker Commanded an Infantry Battalion, the only Independent Infantry Brigade of BD Army and an Infantry Division.

Lieutenant General Waker served as the Military Secretary in Army Headquarters. Prior to joining as the CGS of Bangladesh Army, he performed as Principal Staff Officer of the Prime Minister at Armed Forces Division under Prime Minister’s Office.

Lieutenant General Waker is an alumnus of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur and Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK.

He holds a Master degree in Defence Studies from National University of Bangladesh and Master of Arts in Defence Studies from King’s College, University of London.

As the CGS of the BD Army, he was responsible for the military operations, military intelligence, UN peacekeeping affairs, budget, and many other affairs of the BD Army.

Read: Has Bangladesh students’ protest been hijacked by Jamaat-e-Islami?

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