Mohammad Al Mamur
In any modern society, belief or the lack of it is a personal choice. Yet, in Bangladesh, identifying as an atheist is not just socially frowned upon; it can be dangerous, legally risky, and even life-threatening.
This blog post explores the challenges faced by atheists in Bangladesh, the social backlash they endure, the legal tools used to suppress dissent, and the broader implications for freedom of thought in a democracy still grappling with religious sensitivity and extremism.
1. Atheism in Context: The Silent Minority
Bangladesh was founded in 1971 on the ideals of secularism, nationalism, socialism, and democracy. However, in practice, religious identity has always played a dominant role in shaping public discourse, lawmaking, and public sentiment.
While atheism is not legally prohibited in Bangladesh, declaring oneself an atheist or expressing secular views publicly can result in:
- Social ostracism
- Physical threats
- Job loss
- Censorship
- Legal persecution
Atheists, freethinkers, and secular bloggers have often been lumped together under the derogatory term “nastik” (unbeliever), and treated as enemies of faith, morality, and even the state itself.
2. Notable Cases of Violence and Suppression
Since 2013, the country has seen a disturbing rise in attacks on atheist bloggers and writers, most notably:
- Ahmed Rajib Haider (killed in 2013)
- Avijit Roy, Bangladeshi-American atheist and founder of the blog Mukto-Mona, hacked to death in 2015
- Washiqur Rahman, Ananta Bijoy Das, and Niloy Neel, all murdered within a short span for their secular writings
These brutal killings were carried out by Islamist militants, often with tacit support—or at least silence—from conservative quarters of society. Authorities, rather than upholding freedom of expression, often responded by urging bloggers to “respect religious sentiments” or by arresting them under vague legal provisions.
3. Legal Pressures: Laws That Threaten Atheist Voices
a) Section 295A of the Penal Code (Blasphemy Law Equivalent)
This colonial-era law criminalizes “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.” It carries a punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
This provision is frequently used to silence atheists, freethinkers, and secular writers, even when their writings are peaceful critiques of religion, extremism, or clerical power.
b) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, Section 57 (now superseded but legacy persists)
Before it was repealed, Section 57 allowed for the arrest of anyone who published content online that was deemed to “hurt religious sentiment.” Dozens of atheists and bloggers were detained or harassed under this law between 2013–2017.
c) Digital Security Act (DSA), 2018
Although Section 57 was removed, its spirit lives on in the DSA, which criminalizes any online content that may “injure religious sentiment.” Offenders face up to 10 years in prison. This law is broad, vague, and heavily criticized by human rights organizations for its potential to suppress dissent.
d) Informal Legal Pressure and Surveillance
In many cases, extrajudicial threats, police intimidation, and social media surveillance act as informal tools of repression. Accusations of atheism—even unproven—can be enough to trigger harassment, exile, or worse.
4. Social Consequences of Atheism in Bangladesh
Even when legal action is not taken, the social cost of identifying as an atheist can be devastating:
- Families disown individuals
- Employers may terminate contracts
- Communities may isolate or threaten the person
- Educational institutions may quietly push students out
Because of this, many atheists in Bangladesh choose to remain silent or anonymous. Online forums and pseudonyms become their only refuge.
5. International Response and Human Rights Concerns
Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, have raised alarms over the treatment of atheists and freethinkers in Bangladesh.
The UN Human Rights Committee has repeatedly emphasized that freedom of thought and belief includes the right to reject religion, and that blasphemy laws and similar statutes violate Article 18 and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bangladesh is a signatory.
Yet, the government continues to tread cautiously, often yielding to the demands of powerful religious groups rather than defending the fundamental rights of all citizens.
6. The Way Forward: Building a Truly Secular Society
If Bangladesh is to remain committed to its constitutional values of secularism and democracy, it must:
- Repeal or amend laws that criminalize belief or speech
- Protect vulnerable voices, including atheists, secularists, and minority thinkers
- Hold perpetrators of violence accountable, regardless of religious affiliation
- Promote civic education that respects diversity of thought
Freedom of religion must also mean the freedom from religion, and no individual should face persecution for simply questioning belief systems or expressing doubt.
Final Thoughts
Atheism, like any worldview, deserves the protection of law and the space for expression. In Bangladesh, that remains a distant hope. But every voice that dares to speak, every word that resists silence, contributes to a broader movement for freedom, tolerance, and truth.
We owe it to the memory of those who were silenced not to remain silent ourselves.