Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz has published a book chapter titled “Understanding the Radicalization of Bangladeshi Society and Politics” in the volume Politics of Hate published by Harper Collins India.
The chapter explores various dimensions and sources of radicalization of Bangladeshi society and politics. It particularly examines two contending social movements that emerged in February 2013, referred to as the Shahbag movement and the Hefazat-e-Islam (HI, Protector of Islam). The former is described as a secularist movement demanding capital punishment for those who collaborated with the Pakistani military during the war of independence in 1971 in banning religion-based politics. The latter, primarily led by clerics associated with privately owned orthodox madrassahs called qwami madrassahs, demanding the introduction of anti-blasphemy laws, the abolishing of anti-Islamic aspects and provisions in the women’s policy and in the education policy, among others.
Locating these within the larger political landscape and the role of the state as a source of violence, the chapter argues that understanding the complex nature of radicalization in Bangladesh requires a broader approach to radicalization process.
The book is edited by Farahnaz Ispahani. The book discusses religious majoritarianism in South Asia.
