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‘I was in jail with RSS leaders… People tried to hear each other out then': Jamaat leader
‘I was in jail with RSS leaders… People tried to hear each other out then': Jamaat leader

Indian Express

time8 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

‘I was in jail with RSS leaders… People tried to hear each other out then': Jamaat leader

Fifty years after he was jailed during the Emergency, Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, 82, says he has clear memories of the 19 months he spent in prison. He met his third daughter for the first time at Madras Central Jail, where his wife brought their newborn child just 40 days after her birth. A resident of Tamil Nadu then, Aslam headed the North Arcot district unit of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a socio-religious organisation he had joined when he was 15. Maulana Muhammad Jafar, a member of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind's Central Advisory Council, says the organisation was 'misunderstood' by the Indira Gandhi government, 'which is why its workers were arrested'. While eight Jamaat members were arrested in Tamil Nadu, around 3,000 of its members were imprisoned across India during the Emergency. Sitting at the Jamaat office in Delhi, wearing a crisp white kurta-pyjama, a grey Nehru jacket and a fur cap, Aslam says, 'Once the Emergency was announced, I was put in Madras Central Jail along with other political workers and leaders of the Jamaat, CPI, CPI(M) and DMK. It was a difficult time for my wife, who was nearly eight months pregnant when I was sent to jail. She had had to take care of two young children — a four-year-old and a two-year-old — alone at home. Three months later, I saw my newborn daughter in jail. I can never forget that day. Aslam is the editor-in-chief of Radiance Views Weekly, a 61-year-old magazine supported by the Jamaat. Of the 19 months he spent in jail, Aslam says he was fortunate that his family was very supportive since many others didn't have that liberty and struggled. However, an incident haunts him to this day. 'As I was being taken away by the police to the local station, my eldest daughter Ayesha (then four years old) started running after me. The policeman who arrested me told me later that she was crying.' Born in Karnataka's Hassan district in 1943, Aslam grew up in Bihar's Muzaffarpur after his father shifted there in 1954 to work at a sugar mill. In 1969, Aslam got his master's degree in English literature from L S College in Muzaffarpur. Later, he went on to become a lecturer at C Abdul Hakeem College in Tamil Nadu's Melvisharam. After teaching there for two years, Aslam, then 28, got married and shifted to Tamil Nadu's Vaniyambadi, where his father-in-law had a leather business. Aslam started working with his father-in-law and also became more active within the Jamaat, which, he says, influenced his way of life since he was a teen. During his initial days in jail, Aslam says the political prisoners were sure that they would all be 'released soon'. However, three to four months passed without any signs of their imminent release. 'That's when the fear and anxiety in jail started going up. People started fearing that their incarceration would become permanent. Psychological issues started impacting political prisoners. There was a shift in thinking among the prisoners,' he says. Calling Madras Central jail a 'notorious site of brutality' during the Emergency, he recalls one particular case. 'I was in prison with C Chittibabu, the former Mayor of Chennai. He had sustained injuries during a brutal lathi-charge. At the time of the attack, Chittibabu had been trying to protect a young M K Stalin from an attack inside a prison cell. He would succumb to his injuries later.' Maulana Muhammad Jafar says the Emergency 'proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Jamaat' because its imprisoned office-bearers had the opportunity to interact with people in jails. Jafar adds, 'These very people became leaders and a part of the government later. They came to know the Jamaat much better (during their jail term), and all their doubts and misunderstandings were cleared.' On why the Jamaat workers were arrested during the Emergency, Aslam says, 'We did nothing illegal and our accounts were open to the government. We were working on education, Hindu-Muslim harmony and other social issues.' Aslam says his prison barracks had several RSS workers, including Rangasamy Thevar, then Tamil Nadu chief for the outfit. 'It was a different time. People tried to understand each other's ideology and engage with one another. I remember having long discussions with Thevar,' he says. One statement made by Thevar has stayed with him. He says, 'Thevar said, 'India is such a country that any unscrupulous person can rule India for any period of time'. I liked this quote very much, and I have used it in my writings too.'

Bangladesh: Jamaat-e-Islami meets Election Commission, marking key step in return to mainstream politics
Bangladesh: Jamaat-e-Islami meets Election Commission, marking key step in return to mainstream politics

United News of India

time3 days ago

  • Politics
  • United News of India

Bangladesh: Jamaat-e-Islami meets Election Commission, marking key step in return to mainstream politics

Dhaka, June 25 (UNI) The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held its first formal meeting with the Election Commission (EC) today after regaining its official registration and electoral symbol, marking a key step in the party's return to mainstream politics, reports Dhaka Tribune. The meeting was attended by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, with the Jamaat being represented by a three-member delegation led by Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad. During the talks, the controversial hardline Islamic party tabled four key demands: the adoption of a proportional representation (PR) electoral system; voting rights for overseas Bangladeshis; holding local government elections before the national vote; and ensuring local polls are overseen by a non-partisan administration. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Azad said, 'By implementing the court's decision and restoring our registration and electoral symbol, the Election Commission has taken a step toward justice. It proves that our political rights were previously denied under a repressive regime.' On whether Jamaat now trusts the Commission, Azad remained non-committal. 'We are observing the Commission's conduct. Where they act fairly, we acknowledge it. If they fall short, we will raise our voice.' Addressing the ongoing consultations over a national charter, Azad expressed hope that Jamaat's proposals would be reflected in the final outcome. He urged the government to take concrete steps to ensure the charter is implemented. On electoral reform, Azad argued that introducing a PR system would reduce the influence of money, criminality, and nomination manipulation in politics. 'We have proposed that any party receiving at least 1% of the vote should be allocated seats in Parliament. This would better reflect the people's will.' Azad also highlighted that around 11 million expatriates are currently denied the right to vote. He called for the introduction of postal and online voting systems to include them in the democratic process. He stressed that local government elections should take place before the national polls and under a neutral administration to ensure transparency, public confidence, and a fair electoral environment. The party, which remains a controversial figure in Bangladesh, is known for its hardline Islamic policies and calls to install a theocratic regime in the country, undoing its secular pluralistic democratic socialist fabric. UNI ANV SSP

Bangladesh: Yunus' exclusive talks with BNP leader irks two major allies
Bangladesh: Yunus' exclusive talks with BNP leader irks two major allies

Time of India

time14-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Bangladesh: Yunus' exclusive talks with BNP leader irks two major allies

A meeting between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Mumammad Yunus with BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has irked two major allies of the interim government, the student-led NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Yunus returned to Bangladesh on Saturday ending his four-day London tour, which featured the meeting with Rahman, the acting chief of former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). After the meeting with Rahman, BNP leader Amir Kharsu Mahmud Chowdhury and Yunus' security adviser Khalilur Rahman held a joint briefing and hinted that elections could be held in February next year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Both Jamaat and National Citizen Party (NCP) have termed the meeting in London on Friday between Yunus and the BNP leader as his bias towards a particular party. BNP is the arch rival of the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina 's Awami League. In a statement on Saturday, Jamaat termed the joint press briefing by representatives of both Yunus and Rahman as a "breach of political norms" since the interim government chief particularly advanced the election time deviating from the deadline he announced last week in Dhaka. Live Events "Through this, he (Yunus) has expressed special affection for a party (BNP), which has undermined his impartiality," the statement said, adding that instead of announcing the new deadline on the foreign soil, he should have done it after consulting other parties on his return home. The NCP, which was launched in February, on Friday night said people would not accept any election date before the implementation of the proposed July Charter, referring to last year's violent student-led agitation that toppled Hasina's regime. Hasina fled to India on August 5 and three days later, Yunus assumed charge as the chief of the interim government. The NCP emerged as a political offshoot of Students Against Discrimination (SAD). The NCP said the Yunus-Rahman meeting laid more importance on the election deadline but the "people's main demand" in the post-Hasina regime "namely justice and reform, did not receive the same importance", adding "the NCP finds this very disappointing." The BNP, several other parties and the military had been mounting pressure on Yunus to conduct general elections by December. He, however, in a nationwide address last week, said the polls would be held in April next year. Yunus previously said the polls would be held in between December 2024 or June 2025 following the reforms and justice or the trial of the deposed regime leaders were completed. The Jamaat statement said it was "morally inappropriate" for Yunus as the head of the interim government to hold a joint press briefing with a single party and added that such actions raised doubts among people about fairness and neutrality of the upcoming election process. The statement came after a meeting of the party's Central Executive Council was held on Saturday morning. The NCP, on the other hand, said it repeatedly observed that the government is giving priority to the position and demands of "only one political party" on the election issue. "We believe that holding the National Assembly elections without a clear roadmap for the formulation of the 'July Proclamation', the implementation of the 'July Charter' and the implementation of the trial will turn the popular uprising into a mere transfer of power and will suppress the people's desire for state building," the NCP statement read. Yunus' interim government had disbanded Awami League until its leaders were exposed to punitive actions for what it claimed were their brutal actions to tame the uprising. Most Awami leaders were arrested, some went underground or fled abroad as the interim government initiated a process to try them, including Hasina, in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on charges like crimes against humanity.

Yunus's election promise is 'making April Fool of Bangladeshi people': Hasina
Yunus's election promise is 'making April Fool of Bangladeshi people': Hasina

First Post

time12-06-2025

  • Politics
  • First Post

Yunus's election promise is 'making April Fool of Bangladeshi people': Hasina

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina issued yet another provocative statment, accusing interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus of 'fooling the country' with the promise of holding elections by 2026 read more Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina slammed the country's interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, dismissing his pledge to hold elections by April 2026 . In her audio message to her supporters, Hasina reiterated that Yunus is 'selling the country and making money out of it'. Yunus took the task of rebuilding Bangladesh after a violent protest toppled the Sheikh Hasina government. However, several parties in Bangladesh have called out the Nobel laureate for not conducting the elections by 2025. While Yunus argued that he needs to usher in reforms before holding polls, his critics claim that he is trying to delay elections to stay in power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In her address to her party, Awami League, Hasina said that Yunus is plotting to fool the country on April Fool's Day. The remarks from the former Bangladeshi premier came days after Yunus announced that he plans to hold elections by April 2026. 'I did not sell the country. Yunus is selling the country and making money. This government is backed by Jamaat [Jamaat-e-Islami]. They don't have the guts to fight me,' Hasina said in her audio message, which was shared by her party, Awami League. 'They have said the election will take place in April. This is nothing but the plot of making an April Fool's joke,' she explained. In her 1-hour-long audio message, Hasina frequently referred to Yunus as 'radical and extremists'. She even slammed ex-PM Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), accusing them of looting the country. 'I will be back': Hasina In her statement to her party and supporters, Hasina pointed out the atrocities committed against the people of Bangladesh under Yunus's regime. 'Yunus is committing murders and members of the Awami League are getting prosecuted,' she exclaimed, commenting on how every member of her family is facing legal charges in the country. 'BNP is busy looting the people and Jamaat is busy killing and getting its people inside the government,' she remarked. In her message to the supporters, Hasina pledged to return to the country and shared her vision of a 'Smart Bangladesh by 2041'. 'I will come back, the country will stand again, and we will free our nation from these radicals for the good of the people,' she said. Hasina slammed the Yunus government for banning her party Awami League , from contesting in the polls. She even gave an open challenge to the current regime to put the party on the ballot. 'If they want to hold polls, allow us to contest. Let's see who the people of Bangladesh want. But they won't do that because they don't have the guts to fight against us,' she added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India dismisses Yunus's request to stop Hasina from making statements Interestingly, Hasina's address to her supporters came shortly after Yunus claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignored his request to stop the ex-Bangladeshi premier from making political statements while in India. Yunus was sharing his takeaways from a meeting with PM Modi while speaking at the Chatham House in London. He pledged to continue with his efforts to extradite Hasina from India so that she can face looming charges against her in Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal, which recently indicted her for ordering a police crackdown on protestors last year. 'When I had a chance to speak with Prime Minister Modi, I simply said, 'You want to host her — I cannot force you to abandon that policy. But please help us ensure that she does not address the Bangladeshi people the way she currently is,'' Yunus said while addressing the audience at the London-based think tank. Yunus mentioned that he requested his meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok this April. 'She announces that she will speak on a particular day and at a particular time, and the whole of Bangladesh becomes very angry." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Modi's answer — and I quote — was: 'It is social media; we cannot control it.' What can you say? This is an explosive situation, and you can't simply walk away by saying it's social media. Yet this continues,' Yunus furthered. India is yet to respond to Yunus's accusations.

Another Muslim country is plotting against India, extremist group receiving large amounts of money from..., BIG revelation made in intelligence report
Another Muslim country is plotting against India, extremist group receiving large amounts of money from..., BIG revelation made in intelligence report

India.com

time10-06-2025

  • Politics
  • India.com

Another Muslim country is plotting against India, extremist group receiving large amounts of money from..., BIG revelation made in intelligence report

Another Muslim country is plotting against India, extremist group receiving large amounts of money from..., BIG revelation made in intelligence report According to the report, Turkey's intelligence agencies are actively supporting radical groups in Bangladesh. This support is not just limited to ideology, but also includes financial and military help. The report says that Turkey's intelligence network has taken full responsibility for setting up a new office for the Jamaat-e-Islami group in Moghbazar, Dhaka. A large amount of money has already been sent for this purpose. Meanwhile, a student leader from Jamaat, Sadiq Qayyum, is currently visiting Turkey. During his visit, he is not only meeting key people but is also being shown around weapon warehouses and arms factories. Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is believed to be trying to increase his influence among Islamic groups in South Asia. To reach out to Muslims in this region, Turkey has also been organizing various events and programs, raising concerns about its growing involvement. Meanwhile, Ashiq Chowdhury, the head of Bangladesh's Investment Development Authority, also visited Turkey and during his visit, he toured a weapons manufacturing facility. Although Bangladesh has not officially sent any military officers to Turkey, the visit has raised eyebrows. According to intelligence reports, Bangladesh's National Security and Information Advisor is also holding closed-door meetings in Turkey. These meetings are not open to the public, adding to the suspicion. There are also signs that Turkey might be secretly supporting the Arakan Army in Myanmar, which could be a concern for India, especially in the northeastern region. These developments show behind-the-scenes connections between Turkey and various groups that may pose a threat to regional security. How big is the threat for India? Turkey is slowly trying to spread radical thinking in South Asia by holding workshops and offering scholarships. It is heavily funding Islamic institutions and promoting extremist ideology. This growing influence of Turkey could become a serious concern for India. Northeastern states like Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram might be affected if radical groups gain strength in the region. Groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, with support from Turkey in the form of money and weapons, could push extremist ideas in these sensitive areas. In Kerala, NGOs linked to Jamaat are already active. According to intelligence reports, Turkey is also believed to be financially helping Pakistan's ISI. This suggests that Turkey may be working on a plan to use Bangladesh as a new front to create problems for India.

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