State Fragility and Violent Extremism in Bangladesh

Abstract

Violent extremism, which is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh, takes three forms: left- wing extremism, ethnocentric extremism, and Muslim extremism. Since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, extremist groups have used various forms of violence to express their diversified agendas of scientific socialism, self-autonomy, and an Islamic state. While the influence of left-wing extremists is on the decrease, religious and ethnic related acts of violence (measured in terms of the numbers of people who are killed) are on the rise. This chapter focuses on the three forms of violent extremism highlighted above. The goal is to unearth the reasons for, and motivation behind, their historic emergence in Bangladesh. This chapter argues that the inherent state fragility of Bangladesh with regard to legitimacy crises, poverty, violations of human rights, easy access to weapons, and bad governance helps to foster extremism in the country.