Conservatism in Bangladesh

Conservatism in Bangladesh refers to the national variant of conservatism (Bengali: রক্ষণশীলতাবাদ, romanized: Rôkṣôṇśīlôtābād) in the country. Bangladesh is a conservative country, where the state and the religion are closely intertwined to each other.[1]

Being a Muslim-majority country, conservatism in Bangladesh is mainly defined by the role of Islam in the society and politics.[2] The shift in Islam's role in post-independence Bangladesh began mainly in 1975, after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh,[2] and remained dominant till now. Early conservatives promoted national, social and religious conservatism, claiming Bangladeshi nationalism as its core value, which "represents a mixture of traditional Bengali customs and moderate Islam".[3] Traditionally, the Bangladesh Army maintained close ideological ties with the centre-right and conservative parties of the country, arguing that the term "Bangladeshi nationalism" upholds the country's identity as a Muslim-majority nation.[4] Upon taking power, Ziaur Rahman, the president of Bangladesh and founding chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), introduced a state-sponsored Islamisation that impacted significantly on society and culture.[3] Secularism was removed from the constitution in 1979 and Islam was made the state religion in 1988.[2]

Conservatism, in most cases, overlaps with Islamism in the country's politics. It's supporters oppose secularism in the country's constitution, as it is understood as irreligion and atheism by the conservative polity.[5] Meanwhile, radical conservatives oppose western culture, calling it "alien culture", and seek to establish a religion-based state.[6] Conservative Islamists also oppose LGBTQ+ rights in the country.[7]

Bangladeshi society remains highly socially conservative compared to the West.[8] According to bdnews24.com, most Bangladeshis oppose homosexuality, same-sex marriage, gambling and drinking alcohol.[9] According to experts interviewed by political scientist Tahmina Rahman between 2020 and 2022, "a puritan, ritualistic version of Islam" has gained prominence in the country,[10] which overwhelms people's support for conservatism. Most recently in 2024, widespread revival of conservative Islam was observed among Bangladeshi youths,[11] particularly due to the Awami League government's imposition of "secularisation" policies[12] and "weaponization of victimhood" by the Islamists under AL regime.[5]

List of conservative political parties in Bangladesh

See also

References

  1. ^ Tahir, Rashik (6 April 2023). "রক্ষণশীলতা ও নতুন চিন্তার বাধা". Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
  2. ^ a b c Hardig, Anders C. "Conservative Islamic views are gaining ground in secular Bangladesh and curbing freedom of expression". The Conversation. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Wohab, Abdul (2021). ""Secularism" or "no-secularism"? A complex case of Bangladesh". Cogent Social Sciences. 7. doi:10.1080/23311886.2021.1928979.
  4. ^ Datta-Ray, Surendra K (30 May 2019). "Young minds becoming laboratories?". The Free Press Journal.
  5. ^ a b Bubun, Abdullah Hel (6 October 2025). "Hasina killed secularism, Yunus buried it". Netra News.
  6. ^ Burke, Jason; Hammadi, Saad. "Bangladesh simmers as Islamic conservatives and progressives clash". The Guardian. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  7. ^ Monir, Fabeha (22 August 2025). "No Longer Safe: Extremism Upends Trans Lives in Bangladesh". Global Press Journal.
  8. ^ Hasan, Mubashar. "Understanding Bangladesh's most potent religious opposition". Lowy Institute. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  9. ^ "Young Bangladeshis more conservative than their elders, survey finds". bdnews24.com. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  10. ^ Rahman, Tahmina. "From Revolutionaries to Visionless Parties: Leftist Politics in Bangladesh". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "বাংলাদেশের বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে রক্ষণশীল ধর্মীয় প্রবণতা বেড়েছে: যুক্তরাষ্ট্র". Dainik Shiksha (in Bengali). 26 July 2025.
  12. ^ Md Mostofa, Shafi (2 November 2024). "The Repression of Muslim Identity and the Rise of Conservative Islam in Bangladesh". The Diplomat.
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