Ankara, August 1, 2024 – Temel Karamollaoğlu, leader of Turkey’s Saadet Party, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong condemnation of the Bangladeshi government’s recent decision to ban the political party Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, on charges of terrorism. The ban was imposed following the groups’ protests against perceived injustices in Bangladesh.
In his tweet, Karamollaoğlu criticized the move as a severe violation of democratic principles, highlighting that Jamaat-e-Islami, which has received over 30 million votes, is a significant political entity dedicated to the welfare and peace of Bangladesh. He condemned the government’s action as contrary to universal democratic values and warned of the harm it could inflict on the Bangladeshi populace.
“Democracy is a regime of tolerance,” Karamollaoğlu stated in his tweet. “The world is filled with negative examples of authoritarian regimes facing political, economic, and social challenges. This intolerance of differing views, rejection of consultation, and inability to embrace democracy will ultimately lead to losses for Bangladesh.”
He urged the Bangladeshi government to reconsider its “grave mistake,” emphasizing that prohibitive measures are ineffective and that respect for diversity is crucial for national harmony. Karamollaoğlu called for issues to be resolved through common sense and wisdom to prevent further deterioration of the country’s political climate.
The full tweet reads:
“I strongly condemn the Bangladeshi government’s ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir for protesting against injustices. Suppressing a party with over 30 million votes undermines democratic values and harms the people of Bangladesh. Respect for diversity and dialogue is essential.”
Karamollaoğlu’s statement reflects growing international concern over the political situation in Bangladesh and underscores the importance of upholding democratic values and fostering inclusive dialogue.
