By The South Asia Editorial Desk
In a landmark legal turn, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has reinstated the political registration of Jamaat-e-Islami, more than a decade after the party was barred from participating in elections. The ruling, delivered on June 1, 2025, instructs the Election Commission to restore the Islamist party’s registration status, effectively reopening its path to contesting future national and local elections.
This decision reverses a 2013 High Court verdict that had declared Jamaat’s charter incompatible with the secular constitution of Bangladesh. Since then, the party has remained outside the formal political sphere, despite continued debate over its historical role, ideology, and public support.
The case that led to reinstatement was overseen by a panel headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and followed legal arguments emphasizing the right to political participation and inclusivity in a democratic framework. The judgment does not weigh in on ideological disputes but focuses on procedural justice and political rights.
This reinstatement comes amid broader political shifts in the country. In August 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down following months of civil unrest, and an interim technocratic government was installed, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Since then, efforts to expand political openness and ensure participatory elections have gained momentum.
Earlier this year, Jamaat-e-Islami’s senior leader A.T.M. Azharul Islam was acquitted by the Appellate Division, overturning a 2014 death sentence linked to the 1971 Liberation War. That verdict, too, stirred intense public discourse and added momentum to Jamaat’s legal pursuits.
Founded in 1941, Jamaat-e-Islami has long been a polarizing force in Bangladeshi politics. It played a controversial role during the 1971 war, aligning with Pakistan and opposing the country’s independence – a history that has cast a long shadow over its political legitimacy. The party had been a junior coalition partner in governments in the 1990s and early 2000s but has faced widespread criticism and scrutiny over its ideological stances.
In response to the ruling, party representatives called the decision a “victory for democracy” and expressed readiness to reengage with the electorate. “This paves the way for a participatory, pluralistic political future,” said party lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir in brief comments to the press.
The Election Commission, now tasked with updating official records and resolving matters like electoral symbols, has indicated that it will comply with the Supreme Court’s directive.
Despite the legality of its return, the public response remains divided. Critics argue that Jamaat’s historical stances and ideological framework remain incompatible with modern, secular Bangladesh. Supporters, however, frame the reinstatement as a test of democratic resilience – suggesting that a mature democracy must allow space for lawful political expression, even when contentious.
For now, the focus returns to the streets and the ballot box. Bangladesh is expected to hold general elections by mid-2026. With Jamaat-e-Islami back in the arena, the political landscape may once again see old debates return to the forefront – this time under a new legal and political climate.
As ever, the final judgment will rest with the people.
Source: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/court/382776/jamaat-e-islami-s-registration-restored?