BNP says Ershad, not Zia, brought Jamaat-e-Islami back into politics

The BNP has reignited a debate by trying to pass the buck to military dictator HM Ershad for giving Jamaat-e-Islami a lifeline in Bangladesh politics, though historically it is known that Jamaat revived its political fortune during BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's regime.

BNP National Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy told a discussion on Sunday: "Jamaat was not established during (president) Ziaur Rahman's rule. The Jamaat was registered and emerged as a political party in 1984 during HM Ershad's regime."

"The Jamaat-e-Islami was not in the parliamentary election in 1979 after the BKSAL period. It was Islamic Democratic League or IDL led by Maulana Abdur Rahim."

But according to the Banglapedia, Jamaat, which opposed Bangladesh's independence during the 1971 Liberation War, was revived during Zia's regime.

It says Jamaat ceased to exist as a political party after independence due to constitutional prohibition of communal organisations and the use of religion for political purposes.

In 1976, when the Islamic Democratic League (IDL) led by Maulana Rahim obtained permission from the government, the Jamaat activists began to operate under the banner of IDL. Some Jamaat leaders contested in the general elections of 1979 as nominees of the Democratic League, and six of them were elected, according to the Banglapedia.

"In 1979, the ban on religion-based political parties was withdrawn by the General Ziaur Rahman’s government, and thus Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh was revived.

"... Jamaat-e-Islami has been continuing its activities in Bangladesh from 1979," the Banglapedia says.

Jamaat ideologue Ghulam Azam with Ziaur Rahman. The war criminal returned to independent Bangladesh with a Pakistani passport on Aug 11, 1978.

The Jamaat-e-Islami itself says on its website that it started its activities during Zia's regime.

"On December 15, 1978, by a proclamation order, President Ziaur Rahman abolished one-party system and restored the multi-party democracy in the country. Before this, on May 04, 1976, by a proclamation order, Article 38 of the Constitution was omitted and abolished all sort of embargo on religion-based politics in the country," according to an article titled 'Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Democratic Movement: Participation and Contribution' on the website.

Under a section of the article, 'Formation of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh', it says, "A convention was held on May 25-27, 1979 at Hotel Eden, Dhaka; called by the prominent Islamic scholar Mr Abbas Ali Khan. Around 450 persons gathered in this convention for launching an Islamic party named Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. A draft constitution of the organisation was placed before the audience, and they adopted it. Subsequently, Jamaat started the journey with its four-point program."

But, Jamaat-e-Islami took part as a fully functioning political party in 1986 during Jatiya Party chief Ershad's rule.

Referring to that election, Gayeshwar said, "The Awami League often says Ziaur Rahman gave the Jamaat the opportunity to do politics. No, it's not him (Zia), it was Ershad.

"And the Jamaat, Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League jointly gave legitimacy to Ershad," he said.

Gayeshwar also said the Awami League, during whose rule top Jamaat leaders have been hanged for war crimes, was now trying to get the Jamaat by its side.

The Jamaat is still a key partner of the BNP in the 20-Party alliance.

"No matter how harshly they (Awami League) are speaking about the Jamaat, they are having meetings with Jamaat leaders almost every night, but they cannot reach a deal," the BNP leader claimed.

"In fact, they (Jamaat) have paid such a price that the low-level Jamaat leaders cannot accept it," he said.    

Gayeshwar claimed ministers were meeting top Jamaat leaders arrested on charges of planning sabotage.

"The meetings are on. You, journalists, know as well that some ministers are visiting them in jail during so-called remands. No news remains unknown in Bangladesh," he said.