The ruling Awami League has said Islamist organization Olama League is not affiliated with it.
In a statement to send to the media on Monday (Jan 21), its Office Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap referred to media reports of a group of Islamists, identifying themselves as ‘Awami Olama League, calling to scrap laws against child marriage and demanding a ban on the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament.
Olama League had made headlines in past for its controversial activities.
While the ruling party distanced itself from the Olama League, central leaders of the Awami League gave attended numerous event by the Islamist body in the past.
“We want to make it clear that the Awami Olama League is not affiliated with the Bangladesh Awami League … Any activities under the banner of Awami Olama League is illegal,” reads the statement by the ruling party.
It also called for legal measures against those “behind running activities against the Awami League’s policy under the banner of Awami Olama League”.
Earlier in the day, the Islamist organization held a human chain demonstration near the National Press Club in Dhaka when it called for banning BPL and scrapping law against child marriages.
Addressing the demonstration, Olama League General Secretary Abul Hasan Sheikh Shariatpuri also came down hard on Bangladesh Football Federation for promoting women’s football.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune Shariatpuri, however, claimed that all of their activities were aimed to “strengthen” the administration led by Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.
“We are followers (Bangabandhu) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman … the Olamas are with the pro-Liberation forces. We have been with then since the 2001 … We will follow whatever Sheikh Hasina instructs,” he said.

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