Bangladesh finds itself at a dangerous crossroads today. With both of its traditional powerhouses — Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia — effectively removed from the public stage by exile, illness or legal pressures, the political centre has weakened drastically.

This vacuum has opened space for radical groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and other extremist networks to expand influence. Instances like the arrest of a Baul singer over alleged religious insults, legal action against a woman civil-rights activist turned politician on similar grounds, and growing aggression against minority communities suggest an environment where dissent and cultural plurality are under threat.

Intelligence agencies report that Islamist networks — some with links to militant outfits — have been recruiting youth, organising “religious” seminars, and establishing gyms and training centres that double as ideological incubation hubs. In this climate, secular politics seems to be eroding: centrist forces appear too weak to resist, while hardline currents gain momentum unchecked.

While Bangladesh has not yet become an extremist state, the trend is worrisome. As social freedoms shrink and radical ideologies seep deeper into politics—and everyday life—the country’s future as a pluralistic, democratic society stands at stake.