BNP MP demands ban on Jamaat politics in parliament

BNP MP from Jhalakathi-1 constituency Rafiqul Islam Jamal has demanded a ban on the politics of the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami. Referring to Jamaat during the budget discussion in parliament on Monday, he said, "This party was against the independence of this country in 1971. The party that was against the creation of Bangladesh; I will demand in the great parliament that they will not be able to do politics in Bangladesh, their politics should also be banned like the fascists."

Criticizing Jamaat's campaign in the 13th parliamentary election, Rafiqul Islam Jamal further said, "Islam does not exist just because there is Islam after the name. Those who do politics in the name of religion gave people heaven in exchange for votes in the last election, we have seen that even through the pleasure of smoking a bidi, they said 'all sins can be forgiven'. This party, which is doing politics in the name of Islam by taking one controversial decision after another, was against the independence of this country in 1971.’’

During the election campaign, Jamaat candidate for Jhalakathi-1 constituency Faizul Haque had said, "If you invite people to weigh the scales while enjoying the pleasure of a bidi, Allah can forgive you."

Jamaat issued him a show-cause notice for this remark.

Kushtia-1 constituency MP Reza Ahmed said, "Mosque politics must be stopped. Mosques are the houses of Allah. Prayers are offered in mosques, Quran Sharif is read. But a political party goes to mosques and does politics. I will request the Honorable Home Minister to make a law so that political meetings cannot be held in any mosque or madrasa."

Indicating Jamaat, Reza Ahmed further said, "Just as we hold public meetings and rallies in open fields, schools or any hall, they must also make the same arrangements. They cannot hold meetings in mosques. I don’t know if everyone agrees with me."