'HC lays Jamaat ban foundation'

A High Court verdict that struck down as ‘illegal and void’ the Jamaat-e-Islami’s registration on Thursday would provide a ‘solid foundation to the legal process’ to ban the party, State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam has said.

In his immediate reaction to the verdict, Islam told reporters, “This is a lucky day. We have a positive verdict over the registration issue. The people’s desires have been fulfilled.”

When asked if the verdict would bar the Jamaat from politics, he said that was a separate issue.

But the minister hastened to add, “I hope measures to ban Jamaat’s politics will be initiated soon.”

Jamaat-e-Islami’s direct involvement in war crimes during 1971 came to light in several verdicts of the International Crimes Tribunals delivered against its leaders accused of crimes against humanity. The demand to ban the party grew with such revelations.

The mass movement that erupted at Shahbagh on February this year demanded a ban on the party and the maximum penalty for those found guilty of human rights violation during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Parties from the ruling coalition and several leftist groups backed the movement, which quickly spread across the country.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh and the Worker’s Party renewed the demand after Thursday's verdict.

Responding to the demand, State Minister Qamrul Islam said, “I believe the law, not the government, will take this step. This will act as a strong basis for the legal process to ban Jamaat’s politics.”

When asked if he was anticipating unrest following the verdict, he said attempts to create instability would be ‘dealt’ with.

In an instant response, Awami League’s Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif told bdnews24.com, “I welcome the High Court verdict. Jamaat-e-Islami was involved in war crimes and later became a criminal group feared for it violent activities.”