Changing politics in Bangladesh ::: "BNP Govt in Feb 2026 appointed 15 people as ministers, MPs, presidents and prime ministers who had supported Pakistan’s unity", says Jamaat

 Jamaat announces month-long programmes to mark July uprising anniversary  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced a month-long programme to commemorate the second anniversary of the 'July uprising' of 2024. 

The schedule includes meetings with the families of those killed, injured and permanently disabled during the uprising, as well as remembrance events, discussions and prayer programmes at sites associated with the movement in Dhaka from July 2 to 9. 

On July 16, separate discussion meetings will be organised by the party's Dhaka north and south city units to observe July Martyrs' Day.

From July 18 to 31, similar programmes will be held across the country. 

Jamaat will also organise processions in metropolitan areas, districts and upazilas on August 1, while its labour wing will hold separate programmes from August 2 to 4. 

On August 5, the party will join and support rallies and processions to be organised by the 11-party alliance in Dhaka. In 2024, Aug 5, Sheikh Hasina had to flee to India and the administration had passed on to the hands of an interim regime - which was pro-Jamaat.  

Meanwhile, differences between Jamaat and ruling BNP is increasing by the day. Once they were allies. 

Taking part in parliament’s discussion on the national budget for the 2026-27, the BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Jamaat-e-Islami had yet to apologise for its role against Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.

He said it would be easier for Jamaat to engage in politics in Bangladesh if it clearly stated its position on 1971 and acknowledged its role.  

Responding to Fakhrul’s remarks, Jamaat leader Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said, “Look at yourself in the mirror. 

"Ask your father to apologise from his grave. We committed no crime, so why should we apologise? There are allegations that your father was the offender. You should therefore choose your words carefully.” 

He also said after coming to power, the BNP Govt in Feb 2026 appointed at least 14 or 15 people as ministers, MPs, presidents and prime ministers who had supported Pakistan’s unity and opposed Bangladesh’s independence.

Amid all these, the Awami League is getting ready with their political moves. Former PM, Sheikh Hasina has announced she may return 'home' in Dhaka by this calendar year 2026. 

A key minister in the BNP Govt also has said that efforts are on to ensure return of Sheikh Hasina for facing the judicial process.  

Blogger : Mujib Museum - 2017 

But the political journey of Awami League is interesting. 

The trajectory of AL, from a liberation vanguard to a dominant, heavily personalised, and autocratic political machine within a span of a few decades, is an exciting story.

Despite having a collective leadership in its formative years, AL has historically revolved around a single, dominant figure. After 2008, AL underwent a deep transformation, alienating it from its traditional roots, the middle-class. 

It has indulged in a culture of cronyism, power worship, and sycophancy. And it suffered as a result.  

Since the July uprising of 2024, AL is officially non-functional; its activities were banned last year. There are rumours that it will return from exile. 

The party may argue that the people have not rejected them electorally, and that the government, driven by political vengeance, has kept them out of that process. 

The top leaders of the party are all fugitives. The party chief, Hasina, remains practically the owner of the party. 

Nothing in her behaviour suggests she wants to democratise her party.

"However, many within AL, reportedly, believe that some external force will once again restore them to power," goes an article in 'The Daily Star'.   

It is difficult to predict AL’s fate as it reaches its 77th anniversary. Those who were successful in ousting the AL in the 2024 uprising may feel that the party has been defeated once and for all. 

However, power politics everywhere is about chances.

ends