The use of religion is increasing in South Asian politics and the rising influence of religion-based political parties has become a cause of concern in the region, historians and civil society members said on Wednesday.
The trend posed a threat for the region’s security and economic development, said the speakers at a press conference held ahead of an International Public Lecture set for Dhaka on October 4 and 5.
Historians and specialists from South Asian countries will take part in the public lecture, organised by historians’ organisation Bangladesh Itihas Sommilani.
Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee leader and co- organiser Shahriar Kabir informed the press conference that Syed Haider Farooq Moududi, the son of Jamat-e-Islami’s founder Abul Ala Moududi, will address the public lecture, speaking against the use of religion in politics.
Shahriar said the topic “Religion and Politics” was chosen for the lecture as the use of religion was increasing in South Asian politics and this was an issue to be concerned about. He observed that the use of religion in politics had increased with the elections approaching in some South Asian countries, including Bangladesh.
“We also see that in different countries, religion-based politics is becoming influential. For example, the Islamists are in power in Pakistan and they have influence in other countries. This becomes a security concern for South Asia,” Shahriar said.
Noted media personality and lawmaker Asaduzzaman Noor echoed Shahriar, saying: “Even the political parties that claim themselves as secular use religion for political gain in the root level during election time. This is unfortunate.”
Religion was being used in politics despite having a government which supports the spirit of the Liberation War, he claimed.
Historian Prof Muntassir Mamun said the economic growth of a country is affected when democratic institutions are destroyed and the prominence of religion-based politics is raised.
He said different studies showed that the GDP of a country fell when a rightist government was in power, while the GDP increased during the tenure of a middle policy government.
Dhaka University Professor Mesbah Kamal said the fundamentalist groups were gaining influence because of the lack of practice of history. “The madrasas do not teach history or make its students sing the national anthem, which is a huge concern,” he observed.
The two-day long International Public Lecture will be held at the capital’s CIRDAP auditorium, with Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni as the chief guest. The national council of Bangladesh Itihash Sammilani will also be held in the last session.