Jamaat urges reform, faults India over Hasina

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Friday criticised India for providing shelter to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, alleging that she was continuing political activities from New Delhi, while also claiming that India was failing to fulfil its international obligations by allowing her to remain there.

Speaking to journalists after attending a party members’ conference at the Narsingdi Shishu Academy auditorium, Porwar also warned that his party would launch a street movement if the government failed to implement the proposed constitutional reforms through the Constitution Reform Council.

He said the country’s ongoing political crisis could be resolved through constitutional reforms based on the outcome of a referendum linked to the proposed July Charter.

“If the government wants to avoid political confrontation, it should convene the Constitution Reform Council session in parliament, take the oath and implement the constitutional reforms in line with the July Charter by accepting the referendum verdict,” he said.

“If that is not done, we will have no option but to take to the streets,” he added.
Responding to a question about the possible return of Sheikh Hasina, Porwar said the matter was a legal issue and rested with the government.

“The government has banned the activities of her party, and it will decide the matter,” he said.
Porwar alleged that the ousted Awami League government carried out widespread repression during the July-August movement and said those responsible should face trial.

He also said the political future of the Awami League should be determined by the people rather than by any individual political party.