DHAKA: Progressive politicos think the nemesis of religion-based politics in the country is now only a matter of time, as the constitutional ground is ripe enough.

However, they say, it is the law, not muscle power, is to be applied to stop the armed cadre-based theocratic political parties.

While talking with banglanews24.com.bd, politicians from the ruling Awami League and other parties said nobody wants to play a strong role in prohibiting Jamaat’s politics perforce from strategic point of view.

They said if politics of Jamaat is prohibited by force, leaders-activists of the cadre-based political party may go underground.

As a result, they think, political instability will escalate as well as instability will affect state and social life. “The possibility of anarchy will heighten, too,” said one of the leaders.

Ruling-party men are taking a stand to ban Jamaat’s politics by law as well as creating awareness against Jamaat—the main Islamic party which is now in tight corners with its main leaders put behind bars to stand trial on war-crime charges.

So the government and its progressive part changed their stance on prohibiting Jamaat politics.

Recently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned one of the powerful leaders of the ruling party to hold his tongue after he had commented that Jamaat’s politics was going to be proscribed.

She also said, “No political party will be banned.”

In this regard, Awami League presidium member Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun told banglanews24.com.bd that nobody did forbid Jamaat from continuing its politics. But, as per the apex-court verdict canceling the Fifth Amendment of the constitution, they wouldn’t be able to continue with their religion-based politics.
 
He said, “It is not the muscle power to be used for ousting religion-based politics but the law is enough.”
 
Another presidium member of AL, Obaidul Qader MP, told banglanews24.com.bd why the government should prohibit the politics of Jamaat. “People themselves would reject them for their activities.”

Jatiya Party presidium member Brigadier General (retd) Mahmud Hasan told banganews24.com.bd that it is not right decision to ban religion-based politics. This type of political practice is present in many countries of the world.

“However, I don’t like Jamaat’s political activities,” said the ex-army officer-turned politico.

BDST 1734 HRS SEPTEMBER 03, 2010