Lawmakers clash in Bangladesh parliament over Islamic banking and alleged non-Muslim job discrimination

A heated debate erupted in Bangladesh's parliament over the role of Islamic banking and alleged discrimination against non-Muslims in recruitment. The exchange began during the budget debate when Bangladesh Jatiya Party MP Andaleeve Rahman advocated for promoting Islamic banking, highlighting its global growth and suggesting Bangladesh should expand the sector.

However, BNP MP Gayeshwar Chandra Roy challenged this, alleging that non-Muslims face job discrimination within Islamic banks. He recounted a personal instance where a director allegedly refused to hire a Hindu candidate. Roy questioned the legality of such practices and whether the country's liberation was solely for Muslims.

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Was this country liberated only for Muslims?

Andaleeve Rahman refuted the discrimination claims, stating that Islamic banking is globally popular, even among non-Muslims, and denied knowledge of any policy barring people of other faiths. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad stepped in, deeming the remarks "sensitive and communal" and suggesting an Islami Bank representative could provide clarification. Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shahjahan Chowdhury later supported Rahman, asserting that all faiths are welcome at Islami Bank and claiming many Hindus are employed there in his constituency.

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the issue as "sensitive and communal in nature"