Central Publicity Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Professor Md. Tasnim Alam has issued the following statement on 4 March 2019 protesting and condemning the syndicated propaganda in several dailies against Jamaat-e-Islami referring a proposal, tabled by US House Representative for Indiana's 3rd congressional district Mr. Jim Banks for eliminating the organization.
“Several Bangladeshi dailies in their syndicated reports claimed that US House Repre Representative for Indiana's 3rd congressional district Mr. Jim Banks has tabled a proposal in which he urged for abolishing Jamaat-e-Islami considering the party as a threat for religious freedom, secular democracy and regional stability of the South Asia. Responding to his proposal, our clear stance is, we do not even know whether he raised any such proposal or not. If he does, then we are vehemently rejecting his false and vindictive proposal. By circulating and publishing his illogical and untrue proposals, several medias and yellow journalists are maneuvering to misguide the people.
We are asserting that since the inception, Jamaat-e-Islami sincerely believe in systematic and democratic trend of politics. Jamaat always hates terrorism, violence and communalism-based undemocratic activities. Jamaat has no connection with any militant and extremist groups like Al-Queda and Taliban. So, there is no ground to consider Jamaat as a threat for religious freedom, secular democracy and regional stability of the South Asia. I can challenge, the allegations what have been raised in the so-called proposal, Jim Banks can prove none of it.
Jamaat-e-Islami has been working for strengthening and institutionalizing democratic system by securing the voting rights of the people. The people of Bangladesh are the true witness of such activities. Jamaat always denounces extremism, fascism and undemocratic actions.
As such, I am urging Mr. Jim Banks to repeal his vindictive, unjust, unprecedented, undemocratic and unwanted proposal which is allegedly placed in the US House of Representatives for eliminating Jamaat-e-Islami.