Jamaat has no place in Bangladesh politics: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Saturday launched a broadside against the Jamaat-e-Islami stating that the Islamist party has no role to play in Bangladesh's politics.

She made this remark after paying a visit to the family of slain blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, amidst the countrywide demand seeking a ban on the political activities of the Jamaat-e-Islami and capital punishment for all war criminals.

Rajib, an active participant of the mass uprising which kicked off from Shahbagh early this month and later spiralled all over the country, was killed in front of his house in Mirpur at around 9pm Friday. His family and friends blamed the Jamaat and its students wing Islami Chhtra Shibir for the killing.

Hasina paid a visit to Rajib’s house in Polashnagar at around 3:45pm Saturday, accompanied by local MPs Illias Uddin Molla and Aslamul Haque. She also spoke to his grieving parents.

Describing Rajib as the first ‘martyr’ of the Shahbagh uprising, she said, “I was apprehensive that something like this might happen, and it actually happened.”

“We had taken necessary security measures at Shahbagh. After 1971, this generation of youths was capable in reviving the nation, and an incident like this took place right at the time of the revival”, she said.

“Anyone can assume who were behind this,” she added.

Promising strong actions against Rajib's killers, the Prime Minister said, "I can say this much that we will not spare them.”

“We expressed solidarity from the parliament with the movement. We will heed their demand and free Bangladesh from the defeated forces of 1971.”

Taking a dig at the Jamaat-e-Islami, she said, “Many claim that they are a democratic political party, a democratic force. Now it is proved that they believe in terrorism not democracy. The Jamaat-Shibir politics is based on terrorism.”

“We will do to them what is necessary. They have absolutely no right to be in politics in free Bangladesh.”

The uprising in Shahbagh has also been calling for the ban of Jamaat-Shibir.

Leaders of the ruling party have also spoken in support of this demand.

The Prime Minister expressed her condolences for the grieving family of the slain blogger.

Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir also visited Rajib’s house in the morning. He assured the family that every step would be taken to nab his killers.

Rajib, an architect by profession, used to live with his brother in their house in Polashnagar. His parents, who live in Gazipur’s Kapashia, came to Polashnagar after hearing of their son’s murder.

“The homicide investigation is underway. We have taken measures to ensure a proper investigation”, the Home Minister told reporters after consoling Rajib’s parents.

“The killers will have to be identified and arrested as soon as possible,” he added.

The Detective Branch of Police would be in charge of this murder investigation, DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman said.

Locals paralysed traffic on the Mirpur Road Saturday to protest the murder of the architect-blogger. A blockade was also observed in Gazipur’s Kapashia.

Local MP Ilias Molla, who accompanied the Prime Minister in her visit to Rajib’s house, alleged the area was a stronghold of the Jamaat-Shibir activists.

The street where Rajib came under attack did not have streetlights, making it difficult to identify the killers immediately, he added.

Rajib’s father Dr Nazim Uddin said, “I was a freedom fighter during our War of Independence. The country has been liberated, but it is still not free from Razakars. That’s why I lost my son.”

“I want a Bangladesh free from Razakars,” he added.

Rajib’s mother Nargis Haider is an activist of Gazipur’s Mohila Awami League. His maternal grandfather Mofiz Uddin Master had been the President of Gazipur District Awami League until he passed away in 1989.

His uncle Khurrom Haider who was one of the first few to find the blogger’s lifeless body at the site of the killing said Rajib and his brother were not involved in any party politics.

Rajib and his brother studied at the Asian Pacific University and both had been living in the tin-shed Mirpur residence.

Rajib’s body will be buried in Syedpur of Targaon Sunday.

Meanwhile, the ‘Ganajagaran Mancha’ at Shahbagh has expressed anger over his brutal death.

Thousands of people took part in his 'janaza' at Shahbagh Saturday evening. His dead body arrived at Shahbagh at around 5.30pm, the place where he used to chant slogans along with his friends.

The protesters wore black badges to protest his killing.