Should Jamaat-e-Islami be banned?
Jamaat-e-Islami's main strategies to recruit its activists and spread its ideology are financial incentives and propagating distorted version Islamic ideals to incite religious fanaticism particularly among youngsters. They have long-term strategy gain strength in order to grab vital public institutions. Under the existing liberal democratic environment, Jamaat has been gaining ground with support from various sympathetic organisations, from a mainstream political party in particular. It is very likely that Bangladesh one day may become a violent country like Pakistan. It is time to ponder whether Jamaat should be banned or not. Following are the arguments for banning:
1. If Jamaat is not banned, it will continue to gain strength. Its support support base may grow from 3% to a higher one. At a stage, it may even become a deciding factor in future elections.
2. The present secular and democratic character of the country will be lost.
3. The harmonious and peaceful co-existence of all people of different religions will be lost and communalism and repression on women will increase.
If banned, Jamaat will initially become very violent. At some point, they will reorganise and form a new party in the light of Bangladesh constitution.
The government should consider all these points before banning Jamaat.
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