THE POLITICAL RESURGENCE of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) marks a dramatic turn in the country's political landscape, as it has reclaimed prominence following decades of suppression. The Jamaat, established by Abdul A'la Maududi, is the largest Islamist party in Bangladesh. After independence, it was banned by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the crimes committed during the Liberation War. The Jamaat re-entered politics in 1976.
The Jamaat has never achieved any remarkable electoral success in the 53 years of Bangladesh's history and its highest point was getting a few cabinet positions in the BNPled coalition government between 2001 and 2006. The party, however, remains one of the most discussed topics in the country's political history.
The Jamaat faced an existential crisis after the Awami League's landslide victory in the 2008 election. Courts convicted and executed most of its top leaders for war crimes between 2011 and 2016.
The Awami League leadership portrayed the Jamaat as a "militant and terrorist" organisation and Hasina's government used all state apparatus to curb its political activities. While the Jamaat's complicity in the 1971 genocide is irrefutable, the Awami League's heavy-handed tactics against it have bolstered its resilience and adaptability.
This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
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This story is from the December 22, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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