Islamist Parties in Bangladesh Announce New Protest Programmes, Demand Electoral Reform

In Bangladesh, the announcement of new protest programmes by Jamaat-e-Islami and several other Islamist political parties has added fresh tension to the already charged political climate there. At least seven Islamist outfits have declared rallies, processions, and demonstrations in the coming days, with their central demand being the introduction of a proportional representation system in parliamentary elections. Security agencies fear the programmes could spark clashes and further strain law and order.
 
 
On Monday, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and two factions of Khelafat Majlish led by Abdul Basit Azad and Mamunul Haque unveiled their action plans, calling for the next general election to be held under proportional representation and for banning the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and Awami League’s 14-party alliance partners, according to reports in the Daily Sun.
 
 
Separately, the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party, Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan on Tuesday announced a three-day programme that will include protests in Dhaka on Thursday, in divisional cities on September 19, and across districts and upazilas on September 26.
 
 
Amid these calls, a complaint was also lodged at Ramna police station in Dhaka on Tuesday, seeking to register an attempt-to-murder case against 18 senior JaPa leaders, including Chairman JM Quader and General Secretary Shameem Haider Patwary, the Daily Sun reported.
While the BNP, Jamaat, and other Islamist parties had stood together during the July uprising against the Sheikh Hasina government, divisions have now emerged over core issues such as the electoral framework, the implementation of the July Charter, and the pace of reforms.
 
 
Against this backdrop, the BNP leadership has adopted a cautious stance, closely monitoring developments while avoiding open confrontation with the Islamist bloc. Analysts note that the rising involvement of Islamist parties in protest politics is adding complexity to Bangladesh’s already polarised political scene ahead of the next general elections.