No more religion based politics in Bangladesh

by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
October 27, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1050/no-more-religion-based-politics-in-bangladesh

Bangladesh will be the first ever Muslim dominated nation, which is set to ban religion based politics soon. Bangladeshi law minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed told reporters that the existing constitution will be replaced under the directives of the Supreme Court soon, which will stop doors for anyone in continuing religion based politics in the country. The new constitution will be printed and brought into effect in weeks. He said, "Religion-based parties will be prohibited according to the sections 12 and 38 of the constitution. No separate laws will be required!"

When asked who will bell the cat, Shafique said according to the Representation of People Order [RPO], all political parties should have themselves registered for participating in the polls. "In this case, it is the Election Commission's responsibility to consider whether the constitution of a political party contradicts with the national constitution."

Religion based politics came into existence in Bangladesh since founding father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally assassinated in 1975 and secular constitution was virtually transformed into Sharia Constitution by the subsequent Military Rulers in the country. Military dictator Hussain Muhammed Ershad amended the constitution thus making Islam as the state religion of Bangladesh. Ershad played key role in giving patronization, support and indirect funding to various Islamist political parties in emerging and gaining strength. Taking the advantage of such situation, dozens of Islamist and religion based political parties grew like mushroom in Bangladesh. Most of these Islamist political parties were actively involved in recruitment and sending of Bangladeshi 'Jihadists' to various 'battle grounds' in Afghanistan, Palestine and Kashmir. Some of the leaders of the Islamists parties are still active in spreading Jihadist notion amongst people in the rural areas as well as giving instigations to people in participating in Jihad in ultimately turning Bangladesh into a neo-Taliban state.

Things would have been worst in the country, especially after sudden military interference in 2007 and continuous military dictated rule by so-called interim government for two years, if Bangladesh Awami League was not elected to power with huge mandate from the people. Awami League, a party led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played the most important role during the war of independence of Bangladesh in 1971. It believes in secularist Bangladesh under socialist rule.

Anti-Islamist forces in Bangladesh are particularly delighted to know that, very soon, religion based politics will be banned in the country, which will certainly put several Islamist and religion based political parties into extinction.

Bangladesh is a land of braves and heroes. It has century-long heritage of religious harmony and tolerance. Because of Islamists and existence of religion based politics in the country, for past few decades, the excellent atmosphere of religion harmony has been severely hampered. The country even has witnessed the emergence of Jihadist forces such as Jagrata Muslim Janata [JMJ], Jamaatul Mujahedin Bangladesh [JMB], Hizbut Tahrir [HT], Hizbut Towhid [HuT], Khelafat Majlish, Khatmey Nabuat Andolan [KNA], Khatmey Nabuat Movement [KNM], Harkatul Jihad Bangladesh [HuJI], Jadid Al Qaida, Islamic Constitution Movement, Zaker Party, Muslim League, Allah'r Daal, Hezbollah Bangladesh etc. For the sake of uprooting the Islamist and religion based politics as well as Jihadism from Bangladesh, it is essential for Bangladesh Awami League to continue in power at least for a second term [it ends the current term in 2013]. International community needs to extends fullest support towards the leadership of Sheikh Hasina [Prime Minister in Bangladesh and leader of Bangladesh Awami League]. On the other hand, the Prime Minister also needs to take several measures in immediately stopping country-wide terrorism, extortion, corruption, nepotism, hooliganism and anti-people activities by a section of members of her own party.

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