Bangladesh court bans religion in politics

[A.V.]

DHAKA (January 05 2010): Bangladesh's dozens of Islamic political parties must drop Islam from their name and stop using religion when on the campaign trail following a court ruling, the country's law minister said Monday. The Supreme Court on Sunday upheld an earlier ruling by the High Court from 2005 throwing out the fifth amendment of the constitution, which had allowed religion-based politics to flourish in the country since the late 1970s.

"All politics based on religion are going to be banned as per the original constitution," Shafique Ahmed told AFP. The verdict does not affect constitutional amendments that made Islam the Muslim majority nation's state religion in 1988 and incorporated a Quranic verse in the constitution. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is allied with two Islamic parties, said it would appeal the verdict.

Bangladesh's original constitution, drafted by the secular Awami League party after the country became independent from Pakistan in 1971, barred the use of religion in politics. "We want to reinstate the original constitution. Secularism was a pillar of the 1972 constitution," said Ahmed.

The move follows the Awami League's sweep to power in 2008 elections, which saw them beat the BNP with a landslide. The new government outlawed a controversial Islamic party in October, accusing it of destabilising the country. Four other Islamist organisations, including the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), were earlier banned after they carried out a series of nation-wide bombings that left 28 people dead in 2005.


Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

 

[ppgj]

that is welcome development.

things have been changing for the better ever since shiekh hasina has taken over. she has been fighting, for ages now, for a moderate, growth oriented, terror free bangladesh with healthy relations with its neighbours. unfortunately she has been short circuited by begum khaleda zia, her political rival, who stands for everything that contrasts with sheikh hasina.

with support to religious and fanatical elements and nurturing them, begum khaleda not only took the country backwards, but also by supporting and sheltering indian insurgents - she single handedly killed india relations.

hope the people of bangladesh see where their true worth lies and allow awami league to function its term and reelect them so lot of ills afflicting them is erased for good. a little bit of help from bangla army will only help matters.

 

[Blitz]

banning religion is good so are they now having equal rights for minorities there because last time i knew the minorities were treated not in good spirit but i might be wrong what is india doing to protect the rights of the bangla minorities

 

[ajtr]

This thing has to be urgently implemented in india too with iron grip.religion has to be banned from politics as in bangladesh.

 

[ajtr]

banning religion is good so are they now having equal rights for minorities there because last time i knew the minorities were treated not in good spirit but i might be wrong what is india doing to protect the rights of the bangla minorities

It takes time to mature isn't it?They've taken the 1st step in right direction.more will follow with time.