Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawmaker for Jhalakathi-1 Rafiqul Islam Jamal has called for a ban on the political activities of a party, making an oblique reference to Jamaat-e-Islami, during a Jatiya Sangsad session.

Demanding restrictions on religion-based political activities, the lawmaker called for a ban on a political party he said had opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and therefore should not be allowed to participate in the country’s political process.

He, however, did not directly mention the party’s name.

His remarks came on Monday while taking part in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the financial year 2026–27.

‘This party was against the independence of this country in 1971. It was against the creation of Bangladesh. I will demand in this Jatiya Sangsad that they should not be allowed to do politics in Bangladesh, and their politics should be banned like fascist forces,’ Rafiqul said.

He also criticised the use of religion in politics, alleging that some political actors had misled voters with religious promises during the last election.

Having referred to earlier controversial remarks made in political campaigns, including claims that votes could secure divine forgiveness, he stated that such statements had damaged public trust.

Rafiqul also referred to Jamaat-nominated candidate for Jhalakathi-1 Faizul Haque who during his campaign for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections reportedly remarked ‘even if one calls on people to vote for Daripalla while smoking, Allah may forgive one’.

Jamaat-e-Islami issued a show-cause notice to Faizul Haque over the remarks.

In a separate intervention during the same parliamentary session, BNP lawmaker Reza Ahmed of Kushtia-1 called for a ban on political activities in mosques and madrassahs.

He said that mosques should remain places of worship and religious instructions only, arguing that political meetings should not be held in religious institutions.

Addressing Jatiya Sangsad, Reza urged the home minister to introduce a law prohibiting political meetings in religious institutions.

Political parties should instead hold their meetings, workers’ gatherings and rallies in public venues such as school grounds, playing fields or community halls, the lawmaker said.