The BNP, Ummah, and Politics in Bangladesh

Abstract

Though scholars have demonstrated BNP’s policy support for Islamization and political Islam, a link between BNP’s allegiance to the ummah, state-led Islamization, and the growth of political Islam in Bangladesh has yet to be established. The aim of this chapter is to establish that link. To illustrate it, firstly, I discuss the emergence of BNP in Bangladesh politics. Secondly, through analysing the party platforms, I shall show that the BNP defines itself as a party supportive of moderate political Islam. Thirdly, two case studies will demonstrate that the party extends its support to illiberal Islamist groups in order to undermine key liberal values such as freedom of speech and personal liberty. In sum, this chapter along with the previous chapter demonstrates how political Islam sets the framework of main stream politics in Bangladesh that creates pressure on the state to promote Islamization.