Islamists in Bangladesh attack secularism, Bengali culture

New Delhi: Islamic radicalism, which has long been a feature of Bangladesh's socio-political landscape, has experienced a notable surge following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.

One of the most visible manifestations of this growing radicalism is the vandalism of secular symbols, such as the destruction of sculptures and cultural institutions, which were once emblematic of Bangladesh's commitment to its secular heritage.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during his meetings in Dhaka on Monday, raised this issue of attacks on cultural centres and properties. The Indian Cultural centre in Dhaka was burnt down within a day of Sheikh Hasina's removal and perpetrators remain at large.


Approximately 1,500 sculptures, reliefs, murals, and memorials were vandalized, set on fire, and uprooted between August 5 and 14, 2024, with significant damage in Dhaka and other major cities, according to Dhaka-based sources who did not wish to be named.

Notable among the destroyed works were several statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh, as well as other important cultural symbols. The damage includes 273 works in Dhaka Division, 204 in Chittagong Division, 166 in Rajshahi, 479 in Khulna, 100 in Barisal, 129 in Rangpur, 49 in Sylhet, and 92 in Mymensingh Division of Bangladesh.

The education system has also come under pressure from radical forces, with attempts to influence the curriculum and impose a more religiously conservative outlook.

Efforts to alter the national anthem, which has symbolic significance in reflecting the country's secular and democratic values, are another indication of the growing influence of Islamic radicalism, alleged one of the sources quoted above. These actions signal a shift towards a more theocratic vision of the state, driven by radical groups that seek to redefine the national identity, according to a long-time Bangladesh watcher.