Saiyoda Farhana Fahmida, United Kingdom
Bangladesh deserves better than a politics of intimidation and a law of sentiments. It deserves a secular compact that protects believers and unbelievers, straight and queer, conservatives and radicals—so long as none try to rule the other by fear.
A credible roadmap starts with decriminalization and repeal: strike Section 377 from the Penal Code, because love between consenting adults is not a crime; and replace the CSA with laws that target real harms threats, doxxing, incitement without criminalizing critique or “offense.” These steps are not Western imports; they are consistent with the country’s own constitutional promises. Bdlaws+1
Next, build infrastructure for protection: a hotline and rapid response for threatened writers and activists; specialized police units trained to defend targets of ideological violence; witness protection; and transparent, speedy trials that center victims rather than stage PR wins. The 2013–2016 killings proved that when extremists believe they can scare a society into silence, they will. Only consistent justice breaks that spell. Wikipedia
Third, invest in cultural counterweights: media literacy and critical thinking in schools; public campaigns that humanize LGBTQ+ Bangladeshis; partnerships with faith leaders who defend pluralism; and support for publishers, platforms, and festivals that refuse to cordon off “sensitive topics.” Remember Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy not as warnings to hide, but as reasons to ensure others won’t pay the same price for visibility. Wikipedia
Finally, insist on political courage. A secular state isn’t an atheist state; it is an impartial referee. It does not decide theology; it decides safety. The test is simple: When a citizen offends, do we argue back—or do we sharpen knives? The future of Bangladesh depends on choosing argument—and protecting the arguer.
If you want, I can expand any (or all) of these to ~1000 words each—keeping the same voice, adding data points, quotes, and more Bangladesh-specific cases (with citations), and shaping them into ready-to-publish blog posts.
