Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 13 (ANI): Bangladeshi writer and activist Taslima Nasreen on Friday welcomed the defeat of Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh’s general election, describing it as a temporary but significant victory for secularism, women’s rights, and human rights.
In a post on X, Nasreen said that while the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was not in itself a cause for celebration, the rejection of Jamaat-e-Islami and what she called “jihadi elements” was “good news” for the country.
“In this election, I am not happy because the BNP won, but because the Islamists-jihadi-terrorist group was defeated,” Nasreen said.
“Over the past year and a half, they displayed outrageous dominance, carried out mob violence, killed and tortured people at will, set fire to Hindu homes, beat and burned Hindus to death, and did not allow even a single woman to run as a candidate.”
She accused Jamaat-e-Islami of extreme misogyny, alleging that the party insulted working women, opposed women’s leadership, enforced veiling practices, and sought to impose anti-women Sharia law.
“Such an extremely misogynistic party viewed women as men’s slaves and sex slaves. The people did not allow Jamaat-e-Islami to come to power. That, for now, is the good news,” she said.
Call for secular reforms
Nasreen outlined a 15-point reform agenda she urged the BNP-led government to adopt, calling for the restoration of secularism and equal rights. Key demands included revoking the July 1 charter, restoring secularism in the Constitution, and removing Islam as the state religion.
She also advocated abolishing religion-based family laws and introducing a Uniform Civil Code to ensure women’s equality, along with safeguarding freedom of speech, minority rights, and women’s safety.
Among her recommendations were ending madrasa education in its current form, strengthening secular and science-based education, ensuring universal healthcare, reducing economic inequality, and discouraging religion- and dynasty-based politics.
Political pluralism and civil liberties
Nasreen called for lifting the ban on the Awami League, allowing its leaders to return from exile and participate in politics, warning that Jamaat-e-Islami should not remain the main opposition party.
She also urged the safe return of bloggers and free thinkers who fled the country after killings during the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, stressing the need to protect press freedom and artistic expression.
Nasreen further demanded the release of banned books, films, and theatre productions, reconstruction of Liberation War memorials, and rebuilding of the historic Dhanmondi 32 residence.
She opposed any mandatory imposition of hijab or burqa, called for restrictions on niqabs for security reasons, and urged the re-arrest of jihadi militants who were recently released.
India ties and political prisoners
Emphasising regional stability, Nasreen called for improved relations with India.
“Hostile relations with India must end, and friendly relations should be established in the interest of the state and the people,” she said.
She also demanded the release of individuals she described as unjustly imprisoned, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, as well as detained Awami League members, artists, writers, and journalists.
Election results
According to the Bangladesh Election Commission, results have been declared for 297 of the 300 constituencies in the 13th National Parliament election. Announcements for Chittagong-2 and Chittagong-4 have been deferred, while one constituency was postponed earlier.
EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the BNP and its allies secured 212 seats, giving the party a clear absolute majority. Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliances won 77 seats, while other parties and independents accounted for the remaining seats.
As reported by Prothom Alo, voter turnout stood at 60.26 per cent, with more than 48 million “yes” votes cast.
The Awami League, barred from political activity, did not participate in the polls, marking a major shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape after nearly two decades.
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