 | This articlepossibly containsoriginal research. Pleaseimprove it byverifying the claims made and addinginline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.(April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 | This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(March 2025) |
Conservatism in Bangladesh refers to the Bangladeshi variant ofconservatism (Bengali:রক্ষণশীলতাবাদ).
Conservative politics inpost-independence Bangladesh began mainly in the late-1970s and remained dominant till now.[citation needed] Early conservatives promotednational,social andreligious conservatism, claimingBangladeshi nationalism as its core value.[citation needed] It "represents a mixture of traditionalBengali customs and moderateIslam".[1] Though "language and culture was at the core of Bangladeshi national identity, most people still identified as religious."[2] Upon taking power,Ziaur Rahman, founding chairman of BNP, introduced a state-sponsoredIslamisation that impacted significantly on society and culture.[1] However,radical conservatives opposewestern culture, calling it "alien culture", and seek to establish areligion-based state.[3]
Bangladeshi society remains highly socially conservative in compared to thewestern society.[4] According tobdnews24.com, mostBangladeshis opposehomosexuality,same-sex marriage,gambling anddrinking alcohol.[5] In recent years, "a puritan, ritualistic version of Islam" has gained prominence in the country,[6] which overwhelms people's support for conservatism.[citation needed] Most recently in 2024, widespread revival of conservative Islam was observed among Bangladeshi youths, particularly due to theoustedAwami Leaguegovernment's imposition ofsecularisation policies.[7]
