Democratic Culture as a Shield Against Extremism

Religious extremism is increasingly visible across Bangladesh, permeating both online and offline spaces. What was once marginalised discourse has now become alarmingly mainstream, driven by growing networks, heightened engagement, and expanding followership. Research by the Canada-based think tank SecDev, including the December 2025 report Shadows Over the Ballot, presents a comprehensive overview of the nature and prevalence of extremist activity in the country.

Online and Offline Presence: Extremist Networks in Action

According to SecDev, violent extremist groups exploit societal grievances—ranging from frustration with governance and women’s rights issues to anti-India sentiment—to craft persuasive narratives. They first create perceived social needs, then construct ideological narratives, and finally develop networks to propagate these messages, echoing Erica W. Krugolankier’s The Three Pillars of Radicalization: Needs, Narrative, and Network (2019, Oxford University Press).

David Jackman, in Syndicates and Societies: Criminal Politics in Dhaka (2024, Cambridge University Press), describes these networks as tightly controlled syndicates where followers’ emotional engagement is deliberately managed. Jackman refers to this dynamic as “when crime becomes governance.” Unchecked, such activity gradually attains social legitimacy, with online impunity often translating into offline influence—a phenomenon noted by Filipino Nobel laureate Maria Ressa in How to Stand Up to a Dictator.

SecDev reports that an interim government displayed indifference towards extremist activity, with many cases against radical actors withdrawn or dismissed. Coupled with rising incidents of violence across the country, this reflects a broader trend: religious extremism is dynamic, not static. Regional conflicts—from the Middle East to Kashmir—fuel these ideologies, while global connectivity amplifies their reach.

Democratic Governance versus Authoritarian Religious Rule

Extremist groups reject democratic frameworks, viewing them as inherently Western and incapable of safeguarding Muslim interests. While mainstream Islamist political parties pursue Sharia law through democratic participation, radical groups advocate direct implementation of religious law, often bypassing electoral processes.

A SecDev analysis of 15,000 social media posts highlights ten core beliefs among extremists, including the notions that democracy is un-Islamic, participation in elections undermines religious identity, and only Islamic governance can ensure security.

Youth, Digital Platforms, and Misinformation

Bangladesh’s youthful population—47% under the age of 25—has become a prime target for digital radicalisation. SecDev cites Digital 2026: Bangladesh, noting six prominent platforms with extensive reach:

Fact-checkers reviewed 1,638 pieces of content between June–October 2025; over half contained misinformation, often undermining democracy and targeting political parties. AI tools are increasingly used to create deepfake videos, altered images, and manipulated audio to spread unfounded claims, fostering conditions conducive to violence.

Pathways to Counter Extremism

Addressing religious extremism requires a consolidated commitment by democratic and progressive actors. It is not a task for a single institution. Promoting citizen rights, dialogue, and inclusive public debate can counteract extremist narratives. Redressing governance failures, inequality, and social injustice is equally essential. By advancing humane, deliberative, and rights-based democratic culture, society can offer sustainable resistance to extremism, ultimately curbing its appeal and preventing its social normalisation.