Dhaka: The interim government of Bangladesh has lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami organization. This ban was imposed on this organization by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the allegation of involvement in terrorist activities. But now Mohammad Yunus has lifted this ban. After this, Jamaat-e-Islami organization has given a big statement about India. The head of the organization, Shafiqur Rahman, has said that his party wants cordial and stable relations with India, but also said that New Delhi needs to reconsider its foreign policy in the neighborhood, because bilateral relations do not mean interfering in each other’s internal issues.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer (chief) Rahman said his party supports close ties between India and Bangladesh but also believes Bangladesh should “leave the past behind” and maintain strong and balanced relations with countries like the US, China and Pakistan. Rahman (65) argued that New Delhi’s perception of Jamaat-e-Islami as anti-India is wrong. “Jamaat-e-Islami is not against any country; it is a wrong perception. We are supporters of Bangladesh and are only interested in protecting the interests of Bangladesh,” he said. He stressed that this perception needs to change.
Love for China-Pakistan, problem with India
Jamaat-e-Islami said India has done some things in the past that Bangladeshis do not like. On the other hand, the organisation is not tired of praising and building better relations with countries like China, Pakistan and the US. This organisation is considered anti-India. It now says that “India is our neighbour and we want good, stable and harmonious bilateral relations. However, India has done some things in the past that were not liked by the people of Bangladesh.” “For example, during the 2014 Bangladesh elections, a senior Indian diplomat visited Dhaka and instructed who should participate and who should not. This was unacceptable, as this is not the role of a neighbouring country,” he said.
Attacks on Hindus denied
Responding to a question regarding allegations of attacks on Hindus by Jamaat activists in Bangladesh, Rahman denied these, calling them “baseless”. Rahman blamed malicious media campaign for the negative portrayal of Jamaat-e-Islami and said that despite being the worst hit by the atrocities committed by the Sheikh Hasina government in the last 15 years, “we are still standing and the Jamaat still has the support of the people.” On relations with Pakistan, Rahman said, “We want good relations with them as well. We want equal and balanced relations with all our neighbours in the subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. This balance is very important to maintain stability. ”Bangladesh was formerly known as East Pakistan and came into existence as an independent nation after separating from Pakistan following the 1971 Liberation War.
