Return of Islamic groups to active politics in Bangladesh
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In Bangladesh, the political landscape has shifted significantly with the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus inducting Islamist groups that were under scrutiny during Sheikh Hasina’s regime. The former Prime Minister had attempted at certain points to placate these groups with her intended agenda of running the government, especially during political turbulent times.
The inclusion of Prof. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, deputy chief of the Hefazat-e-Islam, as Adviser for Religious Affairs in the interim government signals a resurgence of Islamist group in Bangladesh’s governance.
Hefazat-e-Islam, founded in 2010, has a history of opposing the avowedly 'progressive' policies of the Hasina goverment, which directly confronted the Sharia laws of inheritance, such as the Women’s Development Policy that sought to ensure equal property rights.
Initially formed with the intention of establishing an Islamic administration, Hefazat has consistently pushed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, advocating measures such as a ban on statues, a stricter dress code, and the classification of Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslims.
The group’s rise to prominence was marked by demonstrations in 2013 and 2021. During these events, Hefazat demonstrated its ability to mobilise large crowds and exert political pressure, making its demands clear through a 13-point agenda that reflects a conservative agenda opposed to modern secular policies.
However, Hasina administration at some point had shown a tendency to accommodate Hefazat’s demands. This accommodation included the removal of secular symbols and recognition of religious qualifications. Observers suggest that the government’s strategy may have been aimed at securing the support of the group during politically volatile situations.
Following Hasina's departure from the political scene, the Yunus government has taken even more radical steps. The lifting of a ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami, another Islamist political party, and granting bail to Jashimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the Ansarullah Bangla.
As Bangladesh navigates this new phase under Yunus's leadership, the implications for the country's political stability, religious freedoms, and international relations remain uncertain. The integration of Islamist elements into the government suggests a potential shift towards a more flexible approach to governance, deviating from past patterns of political maneuvering and its repercussions on societal harmony.