Dhaka, Aug 01 (V7N) - Hours after Jamaat-e-Islami’s announcement to challenge the government, its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, declared its intention to establish an Islamic republic under Sharia law through a campaign of violence. A Facebook post from Shibir’s verified page referred to their members as a "pack of lions" and warned that "nobody can dare to stop them," indicating a potential escalation of violence.
 
The announcement followed Jamaat-e-Islami’s public pledge to support the BNP’s demand for the government’s removal. Jamaat-e-Islami, which has previously been aligned with the Pakistani army during the 1971 Liberation War, has a history of controversy and violence.
 
In response to these developments, the government has issued a ban on both Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, citing evidence of their involvement in terrorism under the guise of the student quota reform movement.
 
Political analysts have expressed concerns that Shibir’s recent threats could lead to significant violence, similar to patterns seen during the 2013-14 election period. Human rights activist and minority leader Ranjan Karmakar noted that past threats from Shibir and Jamaat-e-Islami often resulted in violent clashes, including attacks on minority communities.
 
The current threats from Shibir coincide with the March for Justice event held on Wednesday under the banner of quota reform. Observers fear that Shibir cadres might exploit the protest as a cover for their violent objectives, potentially disguising themselves as quota reform demonstrators.
 
Recent media reports reveal that Shibir members have been involved in violent incidents while concealing their affiliations. One such attack reportedly involved Shibir activists assaulting members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League in Chattogram, resulting in severe injuries and instances of violence.
 
In light of these developments, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has criticized Jamaat-e-Islami and Shibir for their alleged use of student movements to perpetrate terrorism.

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