Politics In Bangladesh Research Articles

Faith, politics, and power: The evolution of secularism and authoritarianism in Bangladesh

AbstractThis third article in the 2024 World Affairs special issue examines the intricate interplay between secularism, religious sentiment, and authoritarian politics in postindependence Bangladesh. Despite being founded on secular principles in 1971, the notion of Bangladesh as a strictly secular state is challenged. This article contends that while secularism was enshrined as a foundational state principle, its imposition occurred top‐down, diverging from prevailing societal ethos. The immediacy of the public backlash following its inclusion compelled ruling elites to adopt religion‐sensitive policies. I assert that the widespread religiosity among the populace steered subsequent political decisions. Notably, the shift from secularism to state‐sponsored Islam, the elevation of Islamic figures to cabinet roles, the recognition of Qawmi madrassa credentials, and the proliferation of Islamic rhetoric ensued. Analyzing a blend of archival data and field interviews, the article argues that the current authoritarian regime, emerging from an unconsolidated democratic framework, strategically exploits Islam as a political tool for legitimacy. By tapping into the prevailing Islamic sentiment, the regime aims to solidify its hold on power and navigate the complex political landscape of contemporary Bangladesh.

Good Governance and Student Politics in Public University Campuses: Bangladesh Perspective

Student political role is the most crucial and dominant in the history of the birth of Bangladesh. Despite having its glorious past in the birth of Bangladesh and bringing many historical political changes towards democracy and good governance, Student politics is now shriveling up the good governance and academic environment with violent and parochial political culture. However, with the passage of time, student politics is gradually losing its historical importance and legitimacy as political violence and brutality become part of its regular activities. Student political violence is a nationwide problem in Bangladesh, public college and university campuses are occupying the forefront of this issue. But despite the multitude of strategies aimed at achieving effective governance in public educational institutions, the level of success attained remains less than desirable. This paper intends to emphasize the student political scenario on the basis of the normative scale of good governance. Among many spheres of student politics in Bangladesh, this paper will analyses the scenario of public university campuses, where student politics have a distinct political structure from off-campus student politics. This paper will conduct a qualitative analysis to inquire about the status of good governance in these campuses and how student political violence and parochial culture deter good governance in those institutions and later impact the national good governance process. The research paper suggests that to ensure efficient, good governance on campus and at the national level, the current pattern of student politics has to be revised rigorously. To increase the chances of good governance in Bangladesh, a realistic policy needs to be developed for student politics and university authorities.

অসাম্প্রদায়িক বাংলাদেশ প্রতিষ্ঠায় সুফি ভাবধারার প্রভাব

The Sufi Saints played an important role to preach Islam in Bangladesh as well as South Asia. There are a lot of evidences about Shahaba (Companions of Prophet Sm.) came South Asia and Bangladesh for spreading Islam in the 7th Century. Next Centuries, hundreds of Sufis and their followers came for preaching Islam and spread over across the South Asia. Their excellent characteristics, strong morality, devotion, deep sense of humanity and serve to the poor people attracted non-Muslim people of this region. Generosity, equality and rich Islamic culture inspired local people to embrace new religion Islam. Interaction of South Asian Culture and Islamic Culture made a new dimension of Culture and Ethics in the Society. In Indian Society, Caste System of the Hindu, oppress to Subaltern people and humiliating abolished gradually. Even though, Reform movement of Hinduism and eradicate aristocracy system of the Hindu Society has started to free from Islamic influence. Education system opened for all during the Sultanate period in India. A new dimension of society and culture make amicable relations between the Hindu and Muslim of South Asia as well as Bangladesh. This Religious co-existing and harmony made South Asia a new mentality which called Communal Harmony. Non-Sectarian ideology inspired Muslim rulers to govern their territory. The Sufism and Sufi saints helped the rulers to make communal Harmony in the society. Communal harmony and social consistency were the vital roles of Muslim era in South Asia. In Nineteenth Century, rise of Sufi Saint and spiritual leader Mowlana Sayed Ahamed Ullah Mizbhandari (k.) (1826—1906) influenced society vividly. His philosophy and Mizbhandari Tariqa Played an important role in the Politics, Society and Culture of Bangladesh. Specially seven Ushal system, Mizbhandari mystic songs and no- Communal ideology inspired all sorts of peoples like the Hindu and Muslim. This research paper examines the influence of the Mizbhandari and other Sufi Tariqa in preaching Islam, Politics, Society and Culture of Bangladesh and South Asia. It also assesses any role of Sufism and Sufis thought to make non- Communal and moderate Bangladesh.

The Compromised Strongman: Interrelationship of Strongman Politics, Radical Rights, and Nationalism in Contemporary Bangladesh

The strongman is the single key approach to studying the democratic status, the rise of radical rights, and the questions on nationalism in present-day Bangladesh. Occupying the office since 2008, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took a sharp turn in 2014 to become a strongman leader of the country, and a successful strongman regime has been created in the process. Since then, the strongman government has made quite a few populist compromises with the radical right groups, which then, in turn, gave birth to a distinct kind of strongmanship: the compromised strongman. This historical research through secondary data analyses finds that a nationalist identity split between a linguistic and a religious, national consciousness has played the role of the major catalyst in the political outcome of the country, and an apparent compromise between the two groups representing the secular and the religious blocks, contrary to common sense, paved the way for the strongman politics in Bangladesh.

Political Attitudes of Rural People towards the Political System of Bangladesh: A Study on Rajshahi District

Without assessing the attitudes of rural people, it is quite impossible to evaluate the existing politics of a country. An attempt is made in this study to explore the perceptions and attitudes of the rural people over the existing politics of Bangladesh. The research has been conducted in some selected villages of Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. A convenient sample of 225 respondents was collected from some selected villages with equal representation of both and a well-structured questionnaire was administered using a face-to-face data collection technique. Respondents have been taken from various categories i.e. age, profession, educational qualification. Random sampling method has been used to select the respondents of this research. In this research, it is found that there are many conscious people in rural area who admit that the existing politics of Bangladesh has been suffering from remarkable shortcomings. It is recommended in the study that the attitude of political parties should be improved so that the political environment of Bangladesh can be more participatory, positive and constructive.

Understanding the Legacy of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Turkey on Bangladesh Politics

This commentary discusses Bangladesh’s interactions with Middle East countries, particularly focusing on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Turkey. Although Bangladesh’s relations with the GCC are seemingly and dominantly economic, there is a significant level of cultural interconnectedness as well, especially with Saudi Arabia. In Bangladesh–Turkey relations, there is also a similar type of cultural attachment operating via each country’s religious identities. This attachment, especially in the last decade, was bolstered by deepening cooperation in counterterrorism activities and further economic interactions. The interactions with these Middle Eastern countries are not only important to Bangladesh’s foreign policy and economy but also to assuage some domestic tensions.

Religion as a Source of Violence: Contending the Narrative of Political Violence Perpetrated in the Name of Islam in Bangladesh

Since Bangladesh emerged as an independent country, violence has become a part of its political process and activism. This paper challenges a dominant narrative that has been discursively constructed and promoted by secularist communities, civil societies, political parties (including the ruling party), and groups in Bangladesh throughout the years. A dominant narrative about religious violence claims Islamists are primarily responsible for political violence in Bangladesh. However, based on a robust analysis of thirty years of data on violence and other of credible sources, I have found that the dominant narrative is not backed by factual and quantitative evidence or a popular mandate but is constructed primarily to support and legitimize political persecution in the politics of Bangladesh. This paper offers a counter-narrative and argues that in Bangladesh, violence has become a political tool for opposition groups to acquire power and for incumbent regimes to retain power. Moreover, it states that religious parties are less violent than secular groups in Bangladesh.

Purveyors of Radical Islamism or Casualty of Cultural Nationalism: Situating Jamaat-e-Islami in Contemporary Bangladesh Politics

Between 1979 and 2013, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was the largest Islamist political party in the country and the only one that ever played a prominent role in government. In 2013, the party had its registration revoked, effectively banning it from running in elections, and has since been stigmatized as a terrorist, or at the very least a terror-sympathizing, organization. This paper looks at the nature of the party and the roles it has played historically in Bangladesh politics. It also investigates the party’s alleged links with religious extremism and terrorist activities in the country, and the roles the party has played in perpetuating religious nationalism.

Mediatization, Social Media, and Islamization: Exploring the Nexus of Influence and Violence in Contemporary Bangladesh Politics

Internet technology probably contains one of the most important discoveries of the contemporary era. Additionally, it is now undeniably evident that individuals are increasingly using social media platforms as their main mode of communication in day-to-day life. The phenomena of Islamization through the Internet and social media has seen a noteworthy upsurge in the current period of fast modernization, principally driven by the ubiquitous effect of mediatization. This effect may be seen not just in Bangladesh’s religious landscape but also in its political system. Religion’s influence on social media is startlingly similar to how it is used as a powerful factor in Bangladesh’s political dynamics. It is crucial to recognize that the procedure of islamization through digital platforms has also contributed to the spread of violence, which has primarily taken the form of targeted assaults on minority groups and those who support free-thinking beliefs. Further, it is crucial to take into account the elements at the national level that have influenced the disturbing trend of using social media as a weapon to incite violence. In order to promote the continuation of violence through digital channels, Islamist extremist organizations have carefully constructed these crucial elements, which are examined in this study. Additionally, this study seeks to bring the alarming trend of Islamist extremist groups blending politics and religion with ease while leveraging the potent mediatization power to instigate violence. This study seeks to clarify the methods used by these organizations to influence digital platforms for their evil ends through a number of thoroughly considered case studies. In the end, this essay makes the claim that political parties and Islamic extremist groups have a complicated and interconnected relationship, a dynamic that not only fosters but also promotes the inciting of violence through the strategic use of social media and digital communication channels.

Da’wah Strategies of Shaikh Azizur Rahman Nesarabadi to Establish Unity in Diversity in Bangladesh: A Global Viewpoint

This research demonstrates the daʽwah strategies of Shaikh Azizur Rahman Nesarabadi which he adopted to bring a unity in diversity in the multifaceted Muslim society of Bangladesh. Shaikh Nesarabadi was an Islamic scholar, social reformer, dāʽī, politician, and spiritual leader of Bangladesh. Throughout his entire life, he dedicated himself to establish the unity among Muslim political and non-political parties and different national daʽwah movements. For this reason, he established an Islamic party called Jamiyat Hizbullah, whose motto was al-Ittihad Ma al-Ikhtilaf (unity within diversity). The research has explored his major steps taken to bring all Muslims, especially the Islamic parties under one umbrella of Islam. This study examines his daʽwah strategies, concepts, and his role in the society and politics of Bangladesh by textual analysis of primary and secondary data. The findings of this research concern intellectual strategy, journalism and editing, and the founding of educational institutions. These include the establishment of Jamiyat Hizbullah, Hizbullah Jamiyatul Muslihin, Hizbullah Anti-corruption Committee, Council for an Ideal Society, Imad Fund, Herbal Treatment Committee, building a Self-reliant Nation, Moderation Movement of Ramadan, and the Cottage Industry Movement, which continue his legacies and contributions to bring unity in diversity.

Government Effectiveness, Economic Growth, Religion and the Socio-Political Role of the Middle Class in Bangladesh

The objectives of the study are to develop an understanding of major changes such as the effectiveness of government, economic growth, religion, and the socio-political role of the middle-class people that have taken place in the society and politics of Bangladesh over the last few years. Apart from that this study also intends to analyze the crisis of the democratic system in Bangladesh and the widespread influence of religion on politicians of the society. In addition to that, the context of the developments of economic growth in Bangladesh has been significant over the last few decades, which has helped in the emergence and development of a new middle class in the country. In the past, it has been said theoretically and in the light of the experience of different countries that economic growth and development of the middle class simultaneously strengthen democracy and reduce the political appeal of religion in society and politics. All in all, this study attempted to present some hypotheses on the particular issues of Bangladesh.

Understanding the Experiences of Female Members in Zila Parishad, Sylhet, Bangladesh

To encourage women to engage in Bangladesh politics, the local government unit introduced the requirements for reserving seats for women. For this, a district council was formed with a chairperson, and fifteen members, including five reserved seats for women. As a result, in the last four decades, it is evident that there has been an increase in women’s participation in politics and governance. This study explores the female members’ experiences of performing their roles as a member and promoting specific agendas and implementing them. Qualitative methodology was used in this research to assemble data by conducting an in-depth interview with female members looking at their experiences in four Zila Parishads in Sylhet Division, Bangladesh. The findings suggest that the Local Government of Bangladesh should not look at the existing provisions under the Constitution to increase the number of women in the public arena as an end goal but instead as a means to help accomplish gender equity. To achieve this, organisations and instruments of government must recognise a Bangladeshi woman’s identity beyond the vision of gender.

Government effectiveness, economic growth and the socio-political role of the middle class in Bangladesh

The objectives of the study are to develop an understanding of major changes such as the effectiveness of government, economic growth, religion and the socio-political role of the middle class people that have taken place in the society and politics of Bangladesh of the last few years. Apart from that this study also intends to analyze the crisis of the democratic system in Bangladesh and the widespread influence of religion on politician of the society. In addition to that, the context of the developments of economic growth in Bangladesh is significant over the last few decades, which has helped in the emergence and development of a new middle class in the country. In the past, it has been said theoretically and in the light of the experience of different countries that economic growth and development of the middle class simultaneously strengthen democracy and reduce the political appeal of religion in the society and politics. All in all, this study attempted to presents some hypotheses on the particular issues of Bangladesh.

What is Islam? The highly contested debate about ‘Islam’ in Bangladeshi politics and culture

What is Islam? The highly contested debate about ‘Islam’ in Bangladeshi politics and culture

Cinema of Bangladesh: Absence of 1947 and abundance of 1971

Bangladesh got liberated from Pakistan through a bloody war in 1971. But the country was also a victim of 1947 Partition of India. The Partition not only split India also divided Bengal and Punjab. The East Bengal with Muslim majority got a new name East Pakistan. However, the country Pakistan with two wings with 1200 miles of Indian territory in between, could not stick together for long. In the memory of Bangladeshi people 1971 is relatively fresh and in the contemporary Bangladeshi politics 1971 still matters. The winding political trajectory of Bangladesh has influenced the discourses of cinema – making less films on 1947 Partition and more films on 1971 Liberation War. Different art forms have portrayed both 1947 and 1971 – the two historical incidents that heavily shaped the political and cultural nature of Bangladesh. This article will investigate why there is scarcity of 1947 films and abundance of 1971 films in Bangladesh. The article will also scrutinize how dominant historiography engulf the body of the films and discard alternative historiography. In examining these queries, the method would be a historical account of film production and its content and a few cases would be studied to get the picture in depth.

Faithful Participation: The ‘Ulama in Bangladeshi Politics

ABSTRACT The ‘ulama have an important position in Muslim society. They hold influence not only in the socio-religious domain but also in the political domain. This article aims to examine the religio-political roles of the ‘ulama in Bangladesh. The examination has been done through an exhaustive and critical content analysis of published secondary literature about the ‘ulama and politics. The article argues that the Bangladeshi ‘ulama are diverse and have shown their religio-political flexibility throughout recent history. The ‘ulama have also played effective religio-political roles in times of sociopolitical change. Their roles have also varied from time to time in accordance with the sociopolitical conditions. The article also shows that the ‘ulama have gained influence under center-right Governments and lost it under center-left Governments in post-independent Bangladesh.

Youth for democratic resilience: Prospects beyond the degeneration of youth politics in Bangladesh

Youth for democratic resilience: Prospects beyond the degeneration of youth politics in Bangladesh

Left Wing Politics in Bangladesh: A Failure?

Left Wing Politics in Bangladesh: A Failure?

Adoption and adaptability of modern Aman rice cultivars in Faridpur region - Bangladesh

Rice is not just a staple food; but it is at the center of culture, politics, and economy of Bangladesh. The determinants affecting the adoption of modern rice cultivars and their adaptability in the Aman season (June to November) at the Faridpur region in Bangladesh were discussed. A total of 500 farmers from five different districts such as, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, and Gopalganj through multistage sampling technique participated in the survey. Before the survey, 15 farmers were selected for the cultivation of eight modern T. Aman rice cultivars in their fields during three consecutive years 2018 to 2020 in the mentioned five districts of Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire was used to identify the determinants associated with the adoption of modern rice cultivars by replacing the popular old ones. Results revealed that beyond preferences, some other determinants (age, education, risk aversion, land size, yield, and perception of modern rice cultivars and their seed availability) directed the decision to adopt or not. Considering the average grain yield of the tested rice cultivars, the genotypes BRRI dhan72 (G-6) and BRRI dhan87 (G-8) were the high yielding cultivars for the above five districts. Despite having a comparatively low yield, the cultivars BRRI dhan71 (G-4) and BRRI dhan49 (G-3) were more stable compared to other cultivars in the Faridpur region of Bangladesh.

Transnational Cross-Border Family Ties: Diasporic Lives of Bangladeshis in Italy and Beyond

The scope of this paper is to gain a better understanding of how Bangladeshi migrants in Italy maintain transnational family attachments, across multiple destinations, with the home country as well as with several host countries. The data comes from fieldwork in Northeast Italy. Research methods include in-depth interviews and participant observation. The findings reveal that a high proportion of Bangladeshi migrants maintain a variety of transnational and diasporic ties with their family and friends living in the country of origin and different European countries. These include family obligations, remittances, establishing businesses back home, visits and communication. They also preserve their national identity in this host society by maintaining cultural ways of belonging and through religious practices and involvement in Bangladeshi politics. The findings have also shown that Italian Bangladeshi families work to foster transnational family ties among the new generations born in Italy, who have little knowledge of their ancestral country. On a final note, this paper argues that transnational connections with the homeland play an important role in shaping the diasporic lives of Bangladeshis in Italy.