Religion-based politics
In different ways, beliefs of a particular religion may vary to the point of contradiction with other religious practices and beliefs. This normally does not affect others as each religion has its own and separate domain. But if a religion-based political party with an agenda and commitment to further its own religious cause comes to power, then a situation is created where believers of other faiths become vulnerable to subjugation which is against the basic principles of freedom assured by the state to an individual person to practise his/her faith.
There are scores of examples in the history where this freedom has been violated. In the context of Bangladesh today, which is a multi-ethnic/multi-religion society, religion must not be exploited for political gains. This is against the spirit of the Liberation War of '71.
Akhtar Ahmed, Bir Protik
Khulna
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The remarks that Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid made to the press after the talks with the Election Commission has left people across the country stunned. People from all walks of life condemned Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid for his comments which go against the very spirit of the Liberation War.
After 36 years of independence the Jamaat now denies its anti-liberation role when history speaks volumes about the collaboration of its leaders and workers with the Pakistan occupying forces in mass killing, rape, looting and numerous other atrocities. It now claims that no war criminal exists in the country.
Maybe after some time it will say that the Liberation War never actually took place. The war criminals have dared to make such audacious statements because successive governments were indifferent towards the demand of taking action against them.
Jamaat's active role against our War of Independence has been documented in different publications including those by Jamaat itself during the war in 1971.
Gopal Sengupta
Canada
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Politics based on religion and ethnicity should be banned. There is no question about it. This is the right moment to do this. Glory to the Almighty, the Jamaat has pushed the issue on the 'must to do list' for the nation.
No political party has the honesty or courage to ban such politics. They have failed to do it in the past and I am certain that they will fail again. If this is not settled now, our democracy will remain compromised. The political parties will use this issue to divide the nation and it will be déjà vu all over again! It is not a question of hate — it is a question of doing the right thing and justice.
If we let wrong rule over the right, that will be really sad for the whole nation. I pray to Allah to bestow wisdom and courage upon our leaders to do the right thing. Let there be light.
Sherif Saeed
On e-mail
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The remarks of Jamaat-e-Islami's Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid are atrocious and can no way be acceptable. How dare he make such a derogatory remark regarding our Liberation War?
It is the people and the rulers who have allowed Jamaat-e-Islami and the likes to flourish over the years and become more and more powerful. The past election results prove how Jamaat gained more and more seats and how the political parties be it the Awami League, the BNP or Ershads' Jatya Party joined hands with Jamaat to fulfil their narrow selfish interest.
Jamaat has now become such a powerful group that can dare to make insulting comments about our Liberation War. It is time we got united and fought a new battle, the battle of fighting and resisting the Jamaatis.
We owe it to those millions of who sacrificed their lives
for their country and to the next generation so that they
can in future carry on the fight of resisting the anti-liberation force.
Nishita Adnan
Dhaka
