Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday told parliament that the government will settle the issue of trying Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party for its involvement in crimes against humanity, through a legal process.

In reply to a query from Awami League MP Waresat Hossain Belal, the minister also informed the House that the law ministry will take initiative again to send the amendment to International Crimes Tribunal law to the cabinet division, in line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's direction so that it can be placed before the cabinet meeting.

In a scripted answer, Anisul said the law ministry had earlier sent the amendment to the ICT law to the cabinet division aimed at trying Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party for its involvement in crimes against humanity in the country's Liberation War in 1971.

In reply to another question, the law minister said his ministry has taken various measures including appointing 571 assistant judges in lower court since 2014, for quick disposal of the huge number of cases in different courts across the country.

In reply to a query of AL lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari, the minister said it is under the government's active consideration to set up Attorney Service in a bid to conduct cases by public persecutors.

3.36 LAKH POSTS VACANT AT GOVT OFFICES

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain yesterday informed parliament that the government has taken various steps to fulfill vacant posts of the government offices, as 3,36,746 posts are now vacant at public offices of the government.

 “Bangladesh Public Service Commission has recommended for 1,289 posts from different cadres through 37th BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service), aimed at appointing vacant posts,” he said this replying to a question made by AL MP M Shamsul Haque Tuku of Pabna-5.

The state minister said the government has requested agencies concerned to verify pre-service curriculum of the recommended candidates, adding, “After getting verification report of the pre-service information, freedom fighter certificate and health check-up, they will be given final appointment.”

In addition to this, the appointment process of 8,719 vacant posts of different ministries are now underway through the 38th , 39th and 40th BCS, he said.

The High Court today directed the authorities concerned to stop DJ party, illegal and cruel activities and bullying in the name of rag day at all educational institutions in 30 days.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain in four weeks why their inaction to stop such activities at the institutions should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the ministries of education, cultural affairs, and information and broadcasting; vice chancellors of universities concerned, inspector general of police; chairman of University Grants Commission and director general of Secondary Education Board have been made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Khizir Hayat came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Kamrul Hasan seeking necessary directives on the issue.

Deputy Attorney General Bepul Bagmar represented the state during hearing of the petition.

Different politicians and analysts said Jamaat should apologise to the nation as advised by Abdur Razzaq who resigned from the party yesterday.

Welcoming Razzaq's resignation from Jamaat in protest of its reluctance to offer apology for its role in 1971, they also said the party should shun religion-based politics and amend its charter that says the party aims to establish the rule of Islam.

 “I think it's a positive move from Razzaq. He felt repentance for the party's anti-liberation role in 1971,” BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star. 

“If Jamaat formally apologise as a party, the people may forgive it,” he said, adding that the party's survival depended on the issue.

Besides, such a move would make it easier for the BNP to alley with Jamaat, he hoped.

Besides the issue of apologies, Razzaq, who was Jamaat's assistant secretary general, mentioned in his resignation letter that Jamaat's failure to reform its ideologies in light of the 21st century was another reason behind his decision.

The letter was addressed to the party's Ameer Maqbul Ahmad.

Several BNP leaders said they have been closely watching the situation and they would “wait and see” what position Jamaat takes.

Jamaat leaders had not informed them anything about the recent dissident voices in the party, they said.

A standing committee member of the BNP wishing not to be named said it was a good sign that some Jamaat leaders had started to realise that they must apologise.

“It is a logical step. But it took 47 years,” he said.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, also a leader in the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, said he welcomed Razzaq's decision.

“Jamaat has the right to do politics. But the party should not have that right until and unless it formally apologises,” said the chief of parliamentary standing committee on social welfare.

However, Communist Party Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim said an apology would not suffice. The party must shun politics in the name of religion and amend its charter.

“Jamaat's charter contradicts the spirit of Liberation War and the country's constitution,” he added.

M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to a caretaker government, said he had been urging Jamaat to apologise for a long time.

“Besides, the controversial Jamaat leaders involved in crimes against humanity should be removed from the party,” he said. 

He also urged Jamaat to amend its charter. 

Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, echoed Hafizuddin.