Islam, Politics and Secularism in Bangladesh

Contesting the Dominant Narratives

Dados Bibliográficos

ID5936717
AutoresIslam (0000-0003-1806-5868), Mirajul Islam (0000-0002-6217-0430, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology), Md Islam (0009-0004-2739-0288)
Ano2018
Volume7
Fascículo3
Páginas37
Data de publicação2018-03-03
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSocial Sciences (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2076-0760 • E-ISSN: 2076-0760
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/socsci7030037
OpenAlexW2793926885
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas18
Referências citadas37

Since late 2000s, the political landscape in Bangladesh moved from democracy to an authoritarian kleptocracy, and experienced a new set of political and social narratives. This paper aims to contest some of these dominant/official narratives which have been discursively constructed and promoted by the secularist parties (including the ruling regime) and groups in Bangladesh over recent years. Examining the sociopolitical and historical facts and figures of the country, we have identified five major contested narratives related to (a) Bengali nationalism in East Pakistan, (b) foundational ideology of Bangladesh's war of liberation, (c) state-sponsored Islamization in Bangladesh, (d) pro-liberation and anti-liberation dichotomy, and (e) war crimes trial. Drawing on a robust content analysis of the credible secondary sources substantiated by qualitative interviews, we have examined these dominant narratives and found that they are not supported by historical evidence and popular mandate, yet have been constructed largely to support and legitimize the current authoritarian regime. The paper offers both counter-narratives and some pragmatic policy recommendations to elude increasing polarization and sociopolitical instability and foster a peaceful democratic society in Bangladesh

Authoritarianism · Democracy · Ideology · Islam · Islamization · Narrative · Nationalism · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Secularism · Sociology · Bangladesh Politics, Society, and Development · Gender Studies · History · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East