Jamaat-e-Islami Registration Restored Amid Political Shift

Bangladesh's Supreme Court has restored the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, overturning a 2013 High Court order that had banned the party due to its opposition to Bangladesh's 1971 independence and its controversial historical role. The court has directed the Election Commission to reinstate Jamaat's registration and consider restoring its traditional 'scales' electoral symbol. This move comes after years of legal battles and follows the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass protests and ongoing political shifts. Jamaat leaders have welcomed the decision as a step toward more inclusive, multiparty democracy, though the party's past support for Pakistan during the independence war remains divisive. The next general election is expected by June next year. Critics, particularly in India, warn that Jamaat's return could destabilize regional relations and domestic politics.