Bangladesh Bans Jamaat-e-Islami Amid Nationwide Turmoil

Bangladesh has banned the Jamaat-e-Islami party and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, under anti-terrorism law due to nationwide unrest. The ban comes after deadly protests over government job quotas, with the government accusing Jamaat of exploiting the movement and posing a threat to public security.

Bangladesh on Thursday announced the ban of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, under the anti-terrorism law, citing the threat the fundamentalist party posed to public security amid nationwide unrest.

A notification from the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the ban, marking Jamaat as a key ally of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The executive order, issued under Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, follows deadly national protests over government job quotas that left at least 150 dead. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated the ban was necessary, accusing Jamaat and BNP of using students as shields during the protests.

(With inputs from agencies.)