Why Bangladeshi Nationalism is Necessary for Our National Unity

 

Aktarul Islam

A nation divided into different ideologies, groups, cultures, and philosophies always finds itself backseated and outdated compared to other countries in the test of time. We have a long history of going under colonial domination for our division by religious beliefs and cultural diversities. We were set apart from each other, although our colonial masters were united and unanimous in putting us at bay to get the upper hand from this subcontinent.

Nevertheless, the division from one ethnic group to another in the name of “ethnic nationalism” has deteriorated the bonding of people living in different parts of the globe and this trend gives space to the big powerholders to smear “divide and rule policy” in the neo-colonial era.

“Ethnic Nationalism” denotes membership in a nation associated with affiliation in a specific ethnic group. Thus, belonging to the country is based on cultural traits such as language, religion, ancestry, and customs and traditions.

However, ‘Bengali Nationalism’ as a form of ‘Ethnic National Identity’ has become the core principle in the constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, giving rise to discomfort and discontent among other ethnic groups of people.

As the Bengali populace constituted the highest majority, the idea of Bengali Nationalism created fear and distress among them of being treated as second-class citizens of the state. The ethnic minority population of the CHT showed a cold shoulder to the decision imposed by Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The division between the Bengali population and other minority groups started widening gradually which resulted in a violent insurgence between the Bangladesh government and the tribal confrontational forces under the auspices of ‘United People's Party of the Chittagong Hill Tracts’ led by Manabendra Narayan Larma.

In this context, Ziaur Rahman came up with the idea of Bangladeshi Nationalism to bring both Bengali and non-Bengali under a unified umbrella. The adoption of Bangladeshi Nationalism was a revolutionary and groundbreaking step of President Zia that successfully alleviated the discriminatory treatment and chauvinist outlook of the Bengali people ranging from the Bengali national identity.

By Bangladeshi Nationalism, President Ziaur Rahman emphasized the civic identity of Bangladesh's citizens, which promotes territorial identity instead of the ethnic identity of the majority.

Though Ziaur Rahman has given territorial nationalism a new dimension in the political spectrum in the history of independent Bangladesh, the trend of being identified as the inhabitant of Bengal (as a geographical entity) goes long back in history. It does have nothing to do with ethnic identity, but rather geographical, ethnolinguistic, and cultural connotations referring broadly to an area in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the peak of the Bay of Bengal.  

Under the canopy of Bangladeshi Nationalism, Bengali, Chakma, Santal, Marma, Bihari, Monipuri, and other ethnic groups, irrespective of their religious faiths, can share equal status as the state's citizens. No one is superior to others; none is insignificant over others by any means, rather, companions and comrades with a unified patriotic zeal and appeal for Bangladesh can sacrifice anything to protect the independence and sovereignty from the enemy states.

The main spirit of this geographical identity lies in the unity of being the nation of an independent country surrounded by India and Myanmar, sharing our respective histories, cultures, and heritage to a great extent.

Historically, Bangladesh was the headquarters of the Bengali language, literature, and culture. The ancient terms Bongo, Bangala, East Bengal, and East Pakistan referred to the mainland of Bangladesh with extended parts like Asham, Odisha, and Bihar, connecting people of different languages and ethnic identities.

No ethnic identities appeared pertinent then; rather, all were connected within a particular geographical perimeter. However, the Bengal Renaissance in the late 18^th century laid the foundation of Bengali Nationalism in the subcontinent and it got its significance in Bangladesh through the momentous language movement of 1952.

There is no denying that Bengali populaces constitute the highest majority in Bangladesh, and they have the utmost participation in almost all the momentous events, from the Language movement to the war of liberation in 1971.

However, the inclusion of Bengali Nationalism in the constitution of the newly emerged Bangladesh created dismay and disgust among other inhabitants as this probation resulted in an atmosphere of dispossession among the minority populaces. Besides, there is an obvious demarcation between the concept of a state and a nation.

A state is formed with the participation of many nations, regardless of their ethnic identities, religious faiths, and cultural orientations. On the contrary, a nation combines people who share a common identity, such as a language, culture, or history.

Bangladeshi Nationalism as civic identity combines many nations, including Bengali and non-Bengali, within the specific geographical boundary and creates a link with international communities as members of an independent territory. This identity is pragmatic and logical to leave a distinctive mark when it comes to making a peaceful coexistence with the world community.

The civic identity of our nation connects all people through common values, and holds us together by a common history. Whereas ethnic identity has always been at the forefront of skirmish between nations and peoples within nations.

Open-mindedness and tolerance are the principal features of civic nationalism. Citizens of a state are taught to respect, embrace and guarantee multiplicity and modification. Most Western countries, like Britain and the US, are civic in nature, allowing immigrants to become citizens by living in the country for a given time-frame.

However, the fall of the fascist regime through the Monsoon Revolution of 2024 has opened the vista for our progress and prosperity by sharing common values and ideologies with our fellow citizens. It is high time for us to get united as the citizens of an independent country with the spirit of our civic identity. Bangladeshi Nationalism has it all to bind us together for a better tomorrow.