Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on Jamaat-e-Islami to clarify its current political stance, saying public confusion has arisen about whether the party seeks power under the constitutional framework or aims to establish Sharia law. He made the remarks on Thursday at a memorial event for former minister Sunil Gupta at the National Press Club.

The minister noted that Jamaat representatives recently spoke in parliament about implementing Sharia, while earlier this year the party’s leader assured a Christian delegation that they would not enforce Sharia if in power. Swapan said such contradictions require explanation to the nation. He also observed that Jamaat has evolved since its founding, citing its acceptance of Pakistan’s state structure after initially opposing it.

Swapan described Jamaat’s nomination of two non-Muslim candidates in the latest election as a positive sign but said the party’s mixed messages continue to cause confusion. Other speakers at the event included Dhaka South City Corporation administrator Abdus Salam and BNP chairperson’s adviser Nazmul Haque Nannu.