Ruling MPs demand ban on Jamaat
In a heated marathon discussion in parliament yesterday 32 ruling Awami League-led lawmakers demanded a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and religion-based organisations.
Blasting BNP for maintaining relations with Jamaat, they demanded legal action against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and those hatching conspiracy to foil the war crimes trial and demanding the scrapping of the international crimes tribunals.
Some also demanded that the House passes a resolution expressing solidarity with the Shahbagh demonstrators in the capital demanding death penalty for war criminals and send a delegation to Shahbagh.
In the around three-hour unscheduled discussion, lone independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim, amid absence of BNP-Jamaat-led opposition MPs, walked out for not being allowed to speak.
Terming Shahbagh's sit-in as people's movement, Azim, without naming ruling AL, said there was no reason for a special political party to show much enthusiasm for the agitation.
Amid protests of MPs, Azim continued, “We need to think why the verdict was questioned.†Azim's microphone was then switched off.
BNP leader Khandaker Mahbub Hossain on Saturday demanded scrapping of the tribunals. Earlier Khaleda made the same demand and demanded release of detained war criminals, said Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, piloting the discussion.
“Do not try further to save war criminals. Still there is time, shun the wrong path, otherwise you will not find a way to escape. Youths will try you for protecting war criminals,†he said.
Matia Chowdhury said Khaleda and Mahbub tried to make an exit for Jamaat leaders. “You (Khaleda) are saying that Ghulam Azam, Nizami are not war criminals. Then who are war criminals. Are you alone the war criminal? Then take the responsibility,†Matia said.
Abdul Matin Khasru said the Shahbagh protest gave politicians a strong message and none could succeed by committing wrongdoings. “I salute the youths.â€
Chief Whip Abdus Shahid said it was not possible to pass a resolution. “But a consensus was reached that we want death penalty for war criminals.â€
Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Shaheda Tarek Dipti, Rashed Khan Menon, Tofail Ahmed, Mujibul Haque and Murad Hasan also addressed the discussion.
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