'Hasina gone, militants also'

Mohammad Selim Uddin, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Dhaka North Metropolitan unit, has said that there are no militants in the country anymore because Sheikh Hasina is no longer in power.

He made the remarks during a recent episode of the talk show Kora Alap on the private television channel Star News.

Selim Uddin said, "Since Hasina left, the interim government has governed the country for 18 months. During that period, the police did not surround anyone's house claiming they were militants. Hasina is gone, and the militants are gone with her."

He further said, "The terms 'fundamentalism' and 'militancy' are Awami League terms. They are fascist terms. They are rhetoric taught by hegemonic forces. Hasina used these labels. In the past, these terms were used to severely persecute political party activists and members of the religious scholarly community in this country."

Stating that Jamaat does not engage in clandestine politics, he said, "Jamaat's politics are as clear as the morning sun. Before making comments about Jamaat, we urge everyone concerned not to revive the old Awami League narrative in a new form. It will serve no purpose. Jamaat always practices lawful, constitutional, and constructive politics. Jamaat does not engage in double standards."

He also commented, "Unlike Sheikh Hasina, who allegedly harbored militants under her own protection while simultaneously crying out about militancy, Jamaat does not practice that kind of politics."

Claiming that militancy will never again gain a foothold in Bangladesh, Selim Uddin said, "Harkat-ul-Jihad was created by Hasina. These groups were created by the Awami League. They were projects planned by hegemonic forces. Their purpose was to create confusion among Muslims. Hasina is gone, and so are the militants. Since Hasina left, the interim government has run the country for 18 months, and during that time the police have not raided anyone's home on allegations of militancy. Hasina has gone, and the militants have gone with her."

Responding to a question about the display of flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith (Kalema), he said there was no reason for suspicion merely because someone displayed such a flag.

The Jamaat leader said, "People may display a flag bearing the Kalema out of religious sentiment or for any other reason. The Kalema flag does not belong to any particular country. In general, I do not see any problem with displaying a flag bearing the Kalema. If there is a specific ulterior motive behind it, then it is the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies to investigate and determine that."