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The Extremism Narrative: A Tool for Rule in Bangladesh

  For nearly 17 years, a dominant narrative echoed from Dhaka to New Delhi and beyond: Bangladesh was a bulwark of secularism standing against a rising tide of violent religious extremism. This frame—championed by the Awami League (AL) and supported by its primary regional ally, India—was not merely a security assessment; it served as a powerful political instrument that redefined the boundaries of dissent and legitimacy in the country.

The Architecture of the Narrative

The "extremism" tag was built on a dual-threat foundation: the historical baggage of the 1971 Liberation War and the post-9/11 global "War on Terror." By equating political opposition with religious fundamentalism, the AL administration effectively achieved two goals:

  1. De-legitimizing the Opposition: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami were consistently framed as "patrons of terror." Any political protest or strike was often branded as an act of "sabotage" by extremist elements. This allowed the state to use anti-terrorism laws to arrest thousands of political workers.

  2. Securing International Silence: By positioning itself as the only force capable of preventing a "Taliban-style" takeover, the AL gained a free hand from Western powers and India. Human rights abuses, extrajudicial killings (often called "crossfires"), and the erosion of democratic institutions were overlooked in the name of "regional stability."

The Role of India and "Mutual Interest"

India’s support was central to this 17-year status quo. For New Delhi, a secular AL government was the safest bet against cross-border insurgency and Islamic radicalization.

  • Security Cooperation: The AL government successfully shut down Indian insurgent camps (like ULFA) within its borders, winning deep trust in Delhi.

  • The Narrative Shield: India often acted as a diplomatic shield for Dhaka on the global stage, arguing that a weakened AL would lead to a radicalized neighbor, which would be a nightmare for India’s internal security.

However, critics argue this created a vicious cycle. By suppressing all moderate, democratic opposition under the label of "extremism," the regime may have actually pushed some toward radicalization, while the lack of political outlets left the public with few ways to express grievances.

Evidence of Manipulation

Recent reports and scholarly analyses have begun to peel back the layers of this narrative. Investigations published by The Diplomat and others have highlighted "staged" anti-terror raids and the use of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to target political dissidents rather than actual militants.

"Nearly 70 percent of individuals accused of terrorism under the previous government revealed they were victims of policies designed to keep the issue of terrorism alive to justify sweeping powers." — Shafi Md Mostofa, The Diplomat (2025)

The Cost of the Tag

The consequences of this 17-year strategy are now coming to light following the mass protests of 2024:

  • Institutional Decay: The judiciary and law enforcement were repurposed as tools for "tagging" and neutralizing dissent.

  • Social Polarization: The constant labeling of fellow citizens as "extremists" or "anti-liberation forces" has deeply fractured Bangladeshi society.

  • The Credibility Gap: Genuine security threats may now be harder to combat because the public and international community have grown skeptical of "extremism" claims after years of political manipulation.

Conclusion

The "extremism" tag was more than a security label; it was a political currency that bought the Awami League longevity and India a predictable neighbor. As Bangladesh enters a new era of political transition, the challenge will be to decouple legitimate security concerns from political opportunism.

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