Browsing by Author "Kabir, Kazi Shahdat"

The study examines the role of civil society in a weak state that is Bangladesh. Data has been collected from two main sources namely documents and interviews. This study assumes that firstly the type, nature and the distribution of power in the state determines the relationship between state and the civil society; secondly, civil society groups tend to take over the key functions of the state and emboldened by their success, the civil society groups, tend to deviate from their traditional activities and get involved in business and political activities; thirdly, that strong civil society groups in a weak state become intolerant towards their fellow groups, social values and the state and finally, challenged by increasing civil society activities, the state undertakes steps to regain control over the civil society. However, this research has examined the involvement of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs in Bangladesh. Larry Diamond and Edward Shills have agreed that the civil society organisations are distinct from other groups in the society at least in four basic respect which are: concern with public ends, voluntary and non-profit making, non-political and civil and tolerant. Two main NGOs in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) and Proshika Manabik Unnyan Kendra [Proshika Human Development Centre] are the focus of the study. The study has found that the NGOs claiming to be part of civil society organisations do not exhibit all the above four characteristics. Although NGOs work for public ends they go against the other indicators such as voluntary, non-profit making, non-political, civility and tolerance. Throughout the history of Bangladesh, the State has shown some reactions whenever the NGOs have gone beyond the traditional civil society concept.

The study examines and analyzes various Islamic policies and programs undertaken by the governments of Bangladesh from 1971 to 1990. The first post-independent regime led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1971-75) adopted nationalism, democracy, secularism and socialism as the principles of state policy. It tried to abolish Islamic symbols from every sphere of 1ife and adopted pro-Indo-Soviet stand. But within two years of his rule, the emergence of Islamic forces as well as slow disbursement of aid from Western donors forced Mujib to adopt some conciliatory policies towards Islam. General Zia, who ruled from 1976-81, abolished two of the four fundamental principles secularism and socialism and popularized `Bangladeshi Nationalism` thus distinguishing Bangladeshis from Bengalis living in India. The study shows that Zia`s commitment towards Islam was intended to bolster legitimacy of his regime and to gain external support. His so-called Islamization policies attracted the masses and support from donors. General Ershad (1982-90), went further by declaring Islam as a state religion. The declaration, however, was not followed by any concrete steps towards Islamization. He failed to win the support of masses though he remain in power for nearly nine years. Thus the study shows that the Islamization initiatives made during the period were symbolic than real and consequently they failed to make much headway in transforming the Bangladesh society along the lines of Islam. Jama`at-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB), has been committed and striving for the establishment of an Islamic state. Although it has had a considerable influence on the Islamization programs initiated by above regimes JIB has not been able to muster popular support in order to enable it to form the government. The JIB`s support towards united Pakistan during the independence movement, strict cadre system within the party, as well as attack from different quarters including the media, liberals and ulamas, have contributed to JIB`s failure to win mass support. The mass support still belongs to `Muslim Nationalist` like Zia. The study concludes that JIB has to come up with practical explanations on many important issues such as the status of women and non-Muslims in the Islamic state if it wants to be among the main players in Bangladesh politics.