Swapon urges Jamaat to clear position on Sharia law

The Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said that Bangladeshi nationalism supports many different political ideas and allows diversity. Because of this, people can follow different beliefs and parties, reports BSS.
But he also said Jamaat-e-Islami should clearly explain whether it wants to establish Sharia law or not. He believes this is important because there is confusion in people's minds about the party's real position.
He questioned whether Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami plans to come to power by following Bangladesh's current Constitution and laws, or to pursue politics aimed at introducing Sharia law in place of the existing system.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a memorial meeting at Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Thursday, marking the 17th death anniversary of former minister and national leader Late Sunil Gupta.

Referring to Wednesday's discussion in parliament, the information minister said, "Yesterday too, our opposition party, the leaders of the 11-party alliance, especially the representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, in parliament spoke about the establishment of Sharia."
He said that earlier, on January 14, Jamaat leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman met a Christian delegation at the party's central office. In that meeting, he promised them that if Jamaat ever comes to power, they will not introduce or enforce Sharia law.
He said, " I simply want to know, through the media, what their real position is. Are they trying to comply with the existing constitutional laws, or are they engaging in parliamentary politics with the aim of establishing Sharia law? Their clear position on this issue should be presented to the nation."