Religion and Politics: Bangladesh Perspective

Political use of religion is a common feature in Indian subcontinent from the very time of the advent of the Aryans. They used religion as a political weapon and their seed has become like a Banyan tree. And that’s why still today, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India all are suffering due to religion based politics. It is considered as the most important element of communalism. But in Bangladesh communalism was not acute in ancient period. During the last phase of the British period and more especially in Pakistan period, religion became the most powerful weapon for the ruling class. The birth of Muslim League and the technical transformation of Congress tenderness towards Hindus during British period were based on religion. The Pakistani rulers tried to use religion as the handmaiden of oppression. So, being aware of the devastating fact of the use of religion in politics, the then Awami League had to take decision considering a very sensitive issue whether religion based politics should be banned or not. The present article emphasizes the main issues of the roots of the political usage of religion in Bangladesh and its implications in the social phenomenon.