The National Citizen Party (NCP) has accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of exploiting religion as a political tool to incite division, hatred, and violence.

In an official statement on Monday, the party said Jamaat is attempting to re-emerge as a “new player” in its old pattern of violent and authoritarian politics instead of embracing the new political culture that has taken shape after 5 August — a trend the NCP described as ominous for the country.

The remarks came in a written statement signed by NCP Joint Member-Secretary and Media Cell Editor Mushfiq Us Saleheen.

In the statement, the NCP strongly rejected and condemned what it called a “false, fabricated, and misleading” press release issued by Jamaat-e-Islami on 7 December targeting NCP Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain.

The party said Jamaat’s statement was detached from reality, violated political norms, and represented a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

According to the NCP, Akhtar’s comments at the 6 December launching event of the National Professionals Alliance (NPA) at the World Literature Centre were based on evidence and made responsibly.

He had referred to recent incidents of violence, including the 27 November clash in Pabna’s Ishwardi where gunfire broke out during election campaigning.

The NCP noted that district detectives later confirmed that the shooter, Tushar Mondal, was a Jamaat activist and had been arrested with firearms and ammunition.

“Denying such clear evidence is nothing but a condemnable effort to hide the truth and evade responsibility,” the statement read.

The party reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami is stirring up divisive and violent politics by misusing religion.

Instead of respecting the evolving political environment after 5 August, Jamaat is opting to revive confrontational and dominance-based political practices, the NCP said.

The party emphasised that violence, armed politics, and the misuse of religion are fundamentally incompatible with democratic political culture.

It urged all political parties to act responsibly ahead of the upcoming national election in the interest of peace, security, and stability.

The NCP called on Jamaat-e-Islami to take a clear stand in favour of truth, peace, and democratic values.