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In 1971, trashing the religion based 'two nations theory', East Pakistan was liberated from West Pakistan, and Bangladesh was born. The proponents of partition of India in 1947 had forgotten the basic fact that besides religion, individuals do have other identities too, and one preponderates over the other according to time and space. Ethnicity, cultural traits and language were the main issues over which Bangladesh was demanded, fought for and born, but after its liberation entropy reigns supreme. New tussle started where religious, sectarian and ethnic issues re-occupied the socio-political space. Tensions led to conflicts and reemergence of violence. In that situation religious radicalism and militancy cropped up. Both emerged under state patronage, during the military rule from 1975 to 1980, and afterwards the democratic parties too helped them. As a result the society failed to settle down even after 1971, most of the historical debates have been clearly polarized, and violence has become an intermittent process. These developments have their impact on the socio-political fabric of Bangladesh, and on its neighbours, especially on India because of contiguous border.
In this paper an attempt is being made to look into the presence of radical forces, causes for their emergence and the consequences. This paper debates that presence of radicalism and militancy in Bangladesh is due to use of violence which continued in a structural form after liberation. The groups were used by the state to use mass violence against opponents. As a result favourable environment was created for ripening of radicalism, militancy, and violence.
EVOLUTION OF RADICAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS
The roots of radicalism in present Bangladesh can be located in socioeconomic conditions of colonial Bengal. During the colonial days, though they constituted majority of population, most of the peasants were Muslims while majority of landlords were Hindus. This class contradiction led to antagonism between the two communities.1 Those contradictions and antagonisms were used by the colonial rulers and religious bigots to serve their purposes. In the past, simmering tensions had led to conflicts between the two communities, but communal violence of 1940s turned to be a prelude to bloodied partition of India in 1947. On 'Direct Action Day' call given by the Muslim League on 16 August 1946 massive violence took place in eastern...