Democracy is inextricably linked to pluralism and secularilism. Democracy is a system of governance that promotes diversity, tolerance, freedom of expression and other human rights, mutual respect and also ensures participation of different opinions . Pluralism also represent divergence, peaceful co-existence of people with diverse belief, ideology, and opinion. So, democratic society means a plural society.
Democracy, pluralism, secularism are interlinked and in the absence of one, another can’t flourish. Just think about pluralism which focuses on diversity and peaceful coexistence be it race, culture, language or faith. On the other hand secularism emphasises on communal harmany and tolerance.
The dream and inspiration of Liberation War was an independent country with a non communal democratic polity upholding values and ideals cherished by the people during long 23yrs of struggle that culminated in an all-out war for independence . But after 54 years of independence we are still far from our desired goal of stable democracy and plural society in true sense of term, though it was a desire of mass people and dream of nation since its inception. Where is the faultline that requires to look into for redress?
Democracy, pluralism, secularism are interlinked and in the absence of one, another can’t flourish. Just think about pluralism which focuses on diversity and peaceful coexistence be it race, culture, language or faith. On the other hand secularism emphasises on communal harmany and tolerance. So a plural society cannot be thought of excluding secularism. In the same manner democracy since its inception built up its foundation on plural and secular ethos like tolerance, harmony, mutual respect, freedom of opinion and expression, protection of human rights and fundamental rights.
So democracy represents not only system but some strong values and culture. This values and culture can thrive in a secular and plural atmosphere.
Moreover human rights and fundamental rights is an inseparable part of democratic polity which protects divergence of belief, race, culture etc and its freedom and independence. So it is absurd to think of stable democratic system excluding secularism and pluralism.
In conservative society often secularism is misconceived or intentionally misinterpreted as contradictory to religious values and thus general people are misguided. But in true sense secularism promotes true independent practice of religious rites and harmony among followers of different faith. Thus it helps build up a democratic and humanitarian society and obstructs societies or countries from sliding in to religious bigotry and extremism.
Bypassing secularism we can’t think of stable democracy dreamt of by our people. All political parties have lots of lofty words and high sounding rhetoric about democracy but many parties especially religion based parties are against secularism. Though while adopting secularism as a state principle in the constitution, it was made clear that secularism was accepted to give independent practice of religion by all religious communities living in Bangladesh and eliminate all form of communalism.
But now we see a tendency to interpret it in terms of something in conflict of religion where Islam ensures the independence of all religious practices and prohibited compulsion or application of force in religion. A section of people without understanding the essence of secularism are out to destroy secular fabric of our polity. It is unfotunate that in recent past we see a tendency to remove secularism as state principle by some far right group. With this the misconceived notion has been given upper hand which instead of ensuring communal harmony and tolerance would lead to a fertile ground for growth of extremism.
When the Bangladesh government in exile was formed and Proclamation of Independence was issued, official name of Bangladesh was given "People’s Republic of Bangladesh". So Bangladesh from its inception was given a secular identity. Our War of independence struggle was based on Bengali Nationalism signifying the language based secular and non communal nationalism. During our struggle for autonomy to independence we came out of the fold of two nation theory and the people of the then East Pakistan irrespective of religion, caste and creed was inspired by a feeling of Bengali identity that triggered language based Bengali Nationalism. The nation at that time rejected the divide on the basis of religion. So our struggle since then has symbolised a desire for a liberal non communal democratic Bangladesh. This spirit was enshrined in our constitution framed in 1972.
In recent time we have seen a tendency by a section of people to trample all the values of liberation war. Extremist views are being surfaced that are detrimental to the very foundation of Bangladesh as a democratic and moderate Muslim country image. The most glorified chapter of our history, our great liberation war and all memories connected with it came under attack. In the recent past we have seen a meticulous design to erase most glorified event of our nation, the war of liberation from the memory of nation.
Democracy, secularism and pluralism constitute values and foundation of Bangladesh state which must be protected at any cost. Time to time constitution may be updated to suit needs and aspiration of the people keeping its foundational principal unharmed.
The writer is former Civil Servant and Adjunct Faculty, East West University
