Jamaat threat to BD’s democracy: US Congressman

An influential US Congressman has said the United States stands with the Bangladeshi people seeking free, fair and safe democratic elections but cautioned that Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami pose a great threat to the country’s democracy and progress.

“Bangladesh is a young democracy that struggles with radical groups attempting to subvert Bangladesh’s progress all while seeking political power for themselves,” Congressman Jim Banks (R-Indiana) told a discussion in Washington on Wednesday, reports BSS.

Hudson Institute arranged the discussion on “Stability, Democracy, and Islamism in Bangladesh”, where it convened a panel to discuss politics in Bangladesh and the country’s upcoming elections.

Panelists included Liberty South Asia’s Seth Oldmixon, the Middle East Forum’s Sam Westrop, and Abha Shanker of the Investigative Project on Terrorism.

The panel was moderated by Ambassador Husain Haqqani, Hudson Institute director for South and Central Asia programing.

The congressman said Bangladesh is a booming democratic country in the South Asia region with the growing presence in the global stage. “However, Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami threatened the country’s prosperity.”

In his opening remarks, Congressman Banks who recently introduced a bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives said these violent theocratic groups have committed violent acts against religious minority Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and moderate Muslims in an attempt to silence their voices and discouraged them from participating in a democratic process.

Banks said Gano Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain earlier had stated his party will not join Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) if Jamaat remains part of it.

The congressman said the United States should support the efforts of Bangladesh government to combat the radical Islamist groups and to reaffirm the rights of the religious minorities.