Examining the Impact of Radicalised Religious Beliefs on the Practice of Secularity: A Preliminary Study amongst Selected Youths in Bangladesh

The rise of radicalised religious beliefs in Bangladesh has impacted the country’s political and social environment, posing a threat to the practice of secularity, a fundamental value of the country’s Constitution. As 57 instances of “religious sectarianism” were reported by the Bangladesh Peace Observatory in 2021, there has been a growing concern about the rise of radicalised religious beliefs among the youth in Bangladesh and its potential impact on the practice of secularity in the country. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of radicalised religious beliefs on the practice of secularity among youths in Bangladesh. The study examined the influence of extremist groups on students using social constructivism to explore the experiences of individuals impacted by the rise of radicalised religious communities. The findings of this study bring to light the complex relationship between radicalised religious beliefs and the extraction of the ideas of secularity from the youth analysing the role of policymakers and practitioners on how best to address the risks that arise from these dynamics. This study enabled the exploration of the status quo in the context of practicing secularity through the lens of social realities.