Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday called a two-day countrywide hartal for August 12 and 13 protesting the “government conspiracy and plot” to eliminate the party.Acting Secretary General of Jamaat Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan announced the programme through a press statement hours after the High Court split verdict canceling the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami was pronounced.
As part of the programme, Jamaat will also stage demonstration across the country on August 3 on the same issue.
Expressing his concern over the cancellation of party registration in the verdict, the Jamaat leader rejected the verdict.
He termed the High Court verdict declaring the registration of Jamaat illegal a wrong judgment and said the verdict reflected the narrow political ends of the government.
“The writ petition was completely immature since the registration affairs still under consideration of the Election Commission. It cannot be considered,” he said.
Khan said the verdict canceling the registration of Jamaat opened the way to cancel registration of more political parties which he said a severe threat to the democracy and rule of the law.
He argued that when the government restored Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim and Islam as the state religion in the constitution question doesn’t arise to cancel the registration of Jamaat as a religion political party
“We have been surprised with the court verdict declaring Jamaat registration illegal before the EC complete its formalities for registration of Jamaat
The Jamaat leader said the government plans to keep Jamaat away from taking part in the elections and hold a one party poll. The people won’t accept the verdict, he added.
He said they refrained from enforcing tougher action including hartal during the month of Ramadan and the holy Eid-ul-Fitr considering the sufferings these would bring to the people. – Staff Reporter
Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami has moved the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, challenging a High Court verdict cancelling its registration.
Immediartely after the pronouncement of the verdict on Thursday Jamaat’s counsel Barrrister Abdur Razzak sought the court’s permission to prefer an appeal which was granted immediately.
“The High Court has permitted a direct appeal in the verdict,” he said.
Barrister Razzak said they have also also sought a stay order in the appeal submitted to the chamber judge. He expressed his confidence that Jamaat’s registration will be upheld and the party would be able to contest the next general elections.
