The Shifting Stands of Secularism: Bangladesh’s Response to Religious Conservatism

This paper explores the evolving relationship between secularism and Islamisation in Bangladesh, focusing on how the country’s secular identity has shifted since its independence in 1971. Initially enshrined in the 1972 constitution, secularism has faced increasing challenges from the growing influence of Islamist groups, such as Ḥifāzat-e-Islām, resulting in significant political and societal transformations. The study addresses the central issue of how Bangladesh manages the tension between upholding secular governance and responding to the escalating demands of religious conservatism. It particularly examines secular political strategies such as the phrase “Dharma Jār Jār, Utshob Shobār” (One’s religion is one’s own, but festivals are for everyone), which seeks to balance religious identity with communal harmony. The paper argues that the relationship between religion and secularism is multifaceted in the context of the country, where the secular principles of Bangladesh do not denote the elimination of religion. Religious actors have the freedom to express their faiths in the public sphere, even though, to some extent, undermining the secular principles of the state. Drawing on qualitative research, including library research, interviews, and media analysis, the study finds that the government often compromises on secular principles, such as by revising school curricula and removing controversial statues, to maintain political stability. This study contributes to the broader understanding of secularism by demonstrating how secular principles in Muslim-majority contexts, like Bangladesh, are pragmatically reconfigured in response to political and religious pressures.