The Role of Political Ideologies in the Persecution of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh

• In Event: Citizens and Beliefs: Ideology and Public Opinion in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

In Bangladesh, religious minority communities, such as Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Ahmadiyyas, bear the brunt of institutional discrimination and social humiliation on a daily basis. This pervasive phenomenon is widely acknowledged and has been documented in various scholarly studies and reports. These minority groups had hoped that the newly independent secular state would not discriminate or intimidate them for religious reasons. This raises the question: Despite gaining independence on the basis of secular nationalism, what is the root cause of religious persecution in Bangladesh, and what are its psychological, physical, and financial impacts on minorities?

This study argues that minority communities’ expectations were shattered due to the overwhelming presence of Muslim nationalism and Islamism in the political system, which many believed had no place in a secular state. Moreover, the study contends that these two ideologies are the primary motivating factors behind the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in the country.

Through the use of fieldwork and textual analysis, the study made a significant and noteworthy contribution to the existing literature on persecution and its impact on human lives. The findings of the study provide empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that the tenets of Muslim nationalism and Islamism are significant factors in perpetuating the culture of exclusion and persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. This study highlights that by promoting a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and mutual respect, Bangladesh can create a society where all religious communities can live peacefully and harmoniously together.

Author

• Sayeed Iftekhar Ahmed, American Public University System