Dhaka: In a surprising move, Bangladesh's new administration has lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, on immediate effect,  the country's largest Islamist party. This decision reverses the prohibition imposed by the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina just before her ousting.

The government announced that it has revoked the August 1, 2024, order banning Jamaat-e-Islami, effective immediately. The decision also extends to the party's student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Jamaat-e-Islami, with a significant base of supporters, had faced restrictions since 2013 when a court ruled that its charter breached the secular principles of Bangladesh's constitution. The party was also barred from participating in the elections of 2014, 2018, and the recent January 2024 elections, which saw Hasina secure her fifth term amid allegations of electoral fraud and lack of opposition.

The previous administration, under Hasina, imposed the ban under anti-terrorism legislation just days before she was removed from office following intense student-led protests. She fled the country and took refuge in India by helicopter.

The new government justified lifting the ban by stating there was no specific evidence linking Jamaat-e-Islami to terrorism or violence. This move could reshape the political landscape of Bangladesh, where Jamaat-e-Islami is a key player alongside the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

The current status of the Awami League, Hasina's former party, remains uncertain as political shifts continue in the nation.

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