‘Jamaat must be banned legally’

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam has said if the Jamaat-e-Islami were to be outlawed, it would have to be done within legal boundaries.“The Constitution allows ban on any party engaged in terrorism. A ban cannot be placed by sudden announcements in rallies or on television. We believe in the Constitution,” he said on Tuesday.

He was speaking as chief guest in a rally arranged at Chittagong’s Laldighi Maidan by the 14-Party alliance.

The Awami League spokesperson mentioned the latest amendments to International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 incorporating the provision for trying organisations alongside individuals for war crimes. And if they are convicted, then a ban can be placed, he added.

“A ban on Jamaat must be done legally.”

Syed Ashraf dubbed Shahbagh movement of the youth ‘logical’. “I also believe in their logic. But a government is limited by laws and the constitution.”

Recalling recent attacks on police during shutdowns and pointing to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, he said “You were Prime Minister twice. You know very well who the police and administration belong to. The policemen being killed today are not of the Awami League.”

“How police are being attacked today and being thought of as opposition... it is not possible in any civilised country. This should not be the approach of the BNP.”

In the rally chaired by Chittagong city Awami League chief ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said, “You (Hifazat-e-Islam) are saying you are not against the government, but have brought demands to abolish policies towards women and education.”

Socialist Party of Bangladesh leader and MP Moinuddin Khan Badal asked Hifazat-e-Islami to release a statement demanding trials of war criminals before their Apr 6 long-march.

“War crime is a big crime in Islam. Do not place programmes in such a way so that you are tagged with them (war criminals). People will misunderstand you,” he said.

Mohiuddin, pointing to Allama Ahmad Shafi of Hifazat-e-Islami, said “The Prime Minister has nominated you for the position of Kaomi education board Chairman. If you have anything to say, you can tell it directly to the Prime Minister.”