US resolution calls BNP to cut Jamaat ties

A resolution has been placed at United States’ House of Representatives, calling BNP to cut ties with its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami.

US Congressman Jim Banks introduced the resolution on February 28, calling Bangladesh to curb the activity and network of Jamaat.

While it also called Pakistan to do the same, the resolution calls all US agencies to cut ties and funding of the Jamaat party.

It “urges the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and all political parties to unequivocally distance themselves from Jamaat-e-Islami and other extremist organisations”, read the resolution.

The resolution identified Jamaat as a patroniser of terrorist and jihadi activities in South Asian region for quite some time now.

Notably, Islamic fundamentalists Jamaat has been convicted of war crimes during Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

While Bangladesh government has been speaking of laws to ban Jamaat for some time now, Jamaat itself is in an internal rift.

There has been reports that a group wants to refurbish the party and apologise for its role during 1971, which has been opposed by the other.