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Impacts of Secularism: Bangladesh Perspective
Muntasir Zahid |
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From the independence of Bangladesh there have been a confrontation prevailed between state and religion. The spirit of independence somehow considered against the religious value especially against Islam. Although this propaganda or concept is demarcated within the western educated intellectuals and so called political leaders. They always try to impose it on the mass people. But their efforts to secularize the mass people go in vain. The great portions of Bangladeshi people do not accept secularism as their ideology. But their leaders always try to mislead them towards a secularist society. They incorporated secularism as one of the 4 principles of Fundamental principles of sate policy in the first constitution.
The depth of religious value especially Islamic value is deep rooted in Bangladesh. However, it is true that the people of Bangladesh (all religion) are not secular in nature, and it is true that they are also not fanatic or communal. They perform their religious rituals properly and keep well relations with other people those who belongs other religion. The Bengali society has been considered as a symbol of excellent communal harmony.
Secularism is an imported ideology in the Muslim world from Europe, which is a legacy of medieval European Christian fanaticism. And later that become a political shadow of capitalism. The secular ideology started its journey from Europe in late 19th century by two Englishmen George Jacob Holyoke and Charles Bradle.
Turkey firstly introduced secularism in Muslim world in first part of 20th century. Mustafa Kemal Atartuk Pasha the pioneer who introduced it in Turkey. From the end of 2nd world war it became a universal ideology. The introduction of Secularism in Muslim world has not been accepted by Muslim people. They considered it as Atheism, especially in the Muslim society of sub-continent.
Over the decades atheistic form of secularism have been tried in many Muslim countries (such as Iraq under Saddam’s regime) but ended with failure, bloodshed, oppression and execution. Secularism was also tried in Afghanistan and Iran but backfired. In Iran 1928, Reza Khan seized power in 1928. It decreed European attire for men (1936) and banned Hijab and chador for women in order to generate Europeanizing Muslims. This type of oppression led to the Iranian Revolution in1979, which reversed the decree, where Hijab is obligatory.
Interestingly, the secular rulers of the Muslim countries have attempted to implant Westernized secularism but in most cases failed due to public outcry. Even though in Tunisia, practicing Muslim is the prerequisite to be the president according to constitution, government has declared hijab as “sectarian dress code” and banned from public sphere. Police have been employed to implement this decree fiercely. There are many allegations to human right organization about harassments; woman wearing Muslim dress was raped in the police station in order to spread the fear among people who wish to wear Muslim dress. Hijab is used to snatch away on the street, university by police. Another Muslim secular country, Morocco is on the verge of banning Muslim dress in the ground of the symbol of fundamentalist/Islamist.
After the independence of Bangladesh the leaders introduced a Constitution in Bangladesh where they included secularism as one of the basic principles of fundamental principles of state policies. They also banned the politics based on religion. But this was not accepted by the mass people of Bangladesh. As a result President Ziaur Rahman excluded it from the constitution by the 5th amendment of constitution.
Recently a debate has risen after the nullification of 5th amendment of the constitution of Bangladesh by Supreme Court. The government of Bangladesh has formed a constitution amendment committee to amend the constitution, and it declares to restore the 1972 s constitution. If it would be happened, then the secularism will be included again in the Bangladesh constitution. And article 38 also restored, as a result the parties based on religions would be banned.
If we consider the positive connotation of secularism, the present laws in our country fulfill the requirement of secularism. In Bangladesh, everybody can freely practice their own religion and at the same time, constitution is not Sharia based. In some cases, our system is better than that of US. For instance, every religious group enjoys their important religious festival as national holidays in Bangladesh, which is unthinkable in US and Europe. But astonishingly, when Awami league government comes to power, the ideology of secularism comes to scene. Does this mean, policymakers and intellectuals of AL want to impose atheistic version of secularism in Bangladesh. But they always say if Bangladesh will be a secular state then every people can enjoy their religious freedom, but the reality is completely different, they stand only against Islam in the name of secularism.
Government assures people verbally but general people like me are not assured due to some legitimate concerns. It is quite well known that supporters (journalist, intellectuals, leftist) of staunched secularism always try to mock or ridicule Islam, Islamic values, Islamic symbols in the name of attacking Jamaat and therefore general people may not be aware. It has been well established as norms that intellectuals of secularists’ forums who are fiercely promoting for secularism in Bangladesh, ridicule religious values, symbols and our prophet. It is quite rational to doubt their motives and version of secularism. In this regards, one of the key Awami league policy makers, Ex-Mayor Hanif, repeatedly and confidently protested about the secular view in AL constitution. According to the report published in the Daily Star (2005) he said; “I am not secular because I believe in Islam and follow its teachings”. Afterwards, Mayor Hanif was politically sidelined. Before election, one of the chief policymakers clearly stated his plan which was published internationally regarding the establishment of secular system in Bangladesh:
Why does this key policy maker label religious dress as sectarian dress? If we carefully look at the proposed plan, we will find that the proposal is in paralleled with Turkish model, which is atheistic version of secularism. In the meantime, education policy has been made in that direction in order to implement this master plan in the long run. The education policy has been made based on thoughts and experiences of several individuals whose ideological view are well known from their seminar, symposium, books, and columns. It is noticeable that their ideological thoughts have been reflected in the policy. As a general citizen of Bangladesh, it is my right to see the explanation whether motives are really honest, since my kids and the next generation would be affected by this policy. In historical perspective, it would be imprudent to divert the general public attention just by labeling this important issue as the propaganda of Jamaat or Islamists.
On the way of secularism debate a question has raised, what would be the impacts of Secularism in the social, political and others sectors in Bangladesh.
If the secularism will enact there may have long run and serious affect on Bangladeshi society.
In Bangladesh there have an excellent communal harmony; secularism will seriously hamper this communal harmony, although there have more than 90% people are Muslims but they have been living with other people those who practice other religions i.e. Hinduism, Christianity and other religions. It has been created from a long period of time; secularist ideology may break this long cherished and excellent communal harmony of Bangladesh.
Secularism may creates social anarchy in the Bangladeshi society, because the root of Islam in our society is very deep, although the Muslims are not fanatic but they love their religion very much, when they see secularism is an obstacle to practice their religion then they react against it, they may create social anarchy. In this case we may mention the name of Turkey as a living example. Mustafa Kemal Atartuk imposed secularism forcibly in turkey. His model of secularism was too much extreme for a traditional Muslim society, but after his death the Turkish people retried from secularism. Respectively it introduced various Islamic rituals in turkey. In recent days liberal Islamic party Justice and development party (AKP) comes in power with huge popular support. This incident proofs that Islamic ideology or traditional Muslim society does not adapt secularism. It may be a Boomerang in Bangladesh.
If secularism will be implemented in Bangladesh then all parties based on religions will be banned, although these parties are not too big but they have huge number of manpower. They are a great part of society, they have influence on society. These people cannot stop their activities overnight; they may take various reactive measures, which may be violent or anarchic. Than law and order situation of our society will be fall down. A part may be involved in militant activities. These people will try to show their existence, A living example prevail in Bangladesh, almost a year ago AL government banned Hizbut Tahrir (a radical Islamic Political party) but it still continues its activities, sometime they bring quick processions and distribute leaflets and posters, that shows their existence. So it is tough to eliminate religion and implement secularism in a Muslim country like Bangladesh. Secularism may rise religious extremism in Bangladesh.
Implementation of secularism will increase social fragmentation in our country; generally our society is fragmented various ways and opinions. Our people are divided into various ideologies, political parties and various sects and segments. Secularist ideology will raise another fragmentation in Bangladesh. The mental distance of secularist and mass people (those who practice religion) will create another social fragmentation that hampers national unity and power.
It is well known that the teachings of religion help men to be more ethical and honest. The persons who practice religion and follow the rituals of religion (any religion, because all religion inspire men towards good deeds) he/she be a good human being. If secularism is implemented then no one can get the teaching of religion, then we will get generations who do not have any religious education. They may involve various immoral activities that hamper social stability. From last few days in Bangladesh the anti social activities has risen alarmingly e.g. Eve teasing (lots of girl committed suicide for it), killing, illegal extra conjugal relations, rape and many others illegal activities. If we critically analyze our society we may find reasons behind it lack of moral inspiration and education. It is undoubtedly true that religious education is a great or prime source of moral excellence. If secularist ideology is implemented then the nation will be deprived of proper religious education, which may be another course for the nation.
Despite these impacts of secularism many other impacts may rise in our society. So before enacting it all the impact and affect should be examine properly. |
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| http://www.sonarbangladesh.com/articles/MuntasirZahid |
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| বাংলা (ইউনিকোডে) অথবা ইংরেজীতে আপনার মন্তব্য লিখুন: |
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| লেখক পরিচিতি |
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| লেখকঃ ছাত্র, ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় |
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রিয়াদ সৌদি আরব থেকে জাহেদ লিখেছেন,
তাই অনুরোধ করি, বাংলায় লিখুন। আমাদের নিজেদের দেশীয় প্রেক্ষাপট সংযুক্ত করে সাধারন মানুষের উপযোগী করে লিখলে প্রশংসা পাবেন।