A BNP lawmaker on Monday called for a ban on the politics of a party he likened to fascists, without directly naming Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, while another member of parliament urged the government to prohibit political gatherings in mosques and madrasas, reports UNB.
Participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in parliament, BNP lawmaker from Jhalakathi-1 Rofiqul Islam Jamal said a party that had opposed Bangladesh's independence in 1971 should not be allowed to engage in politics in the country.
"Those who practise politics in the name of religion took a series of controversial positions. This party opposed the country's independence in 1971 and resisted the creation of Bangladesh," he said.
"I demand in this august House that they should not be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh and that their political activities be banned, just like those of the fascists," he added.
Referring to an earlier remark by the home minister that having "Islam" in a name does not necessarily make someone Islamic, Jamal criticised those who, he alleged, use religion for political purposes.
His comments appeared to allude to an earlier controversy involving Jamaat-nominated candidate Faizul Haque in Jhalakathi-1. Haque had reportedly said that Allah could forgive sins if people were encouraged to vote for the party's electoral symbol, even while smoking cigarettes. Jamaat later served him with a show-cause notice over the remark.
Meanwhile, MP Reza Ahmed from Kushtia-1 called for an end to political activities in mosques.
"I want to make a political point. Politics in mosques must stop. Mosques are the houses of Allah. People should pray and read the Holy Quran there," he said.
Claiming that a political party conducts political activities in mosques, he urged the home minister to introduce legislation prohibiting political meetings in mosques and madrasas.
"We hold workers' meetings and public gatherings openly in playgrounds, schools and halls. They should do the same. They should not be allowed to hold meetings in mosques," he said.
