Historical Continuity and Bangladesh’s Democratic Crisis: The State, Power, and the Politics of Narrative

Abstract

One of the most persistent crises in Bangladesh’s political trajectory is the repeated rupture of historical continuity. With every change of government, the past is reinterpreted, school curricula are revised, and new generations are socialised into shifting political narratives. These processes go beyond ordinary political competition; they constitute a silent yet profound threat to democratic foundations and institutional stability. This article analyses how the politicisation of history undermines democratic consolidation in Bangladesh and argues for a pluralistic, inclusive, and research-based approach to historical knowledge as a prerequisite for long-term national stability.

1. Introduction

History is not merely a record of past events; it is central to the construction of collective identity and civic consciousness. However, when history is repeatedly rewritten in line with changes in political power, it ceases to function as a scholarly pursuit and becomes an instrument of domination. Bangladesh today confronts such a reality, where disruptions in historical continuity are weakening democratic institutions and eroding public trust.

2. History and Power: The Politics of Narrative

History is never entirely detached from politics. Yet in democratic societies, historical interpretation is not monopolised by any single political force. In Bangladesh, successive governments have frequently sought to delegitimise previous historical narratives and replace them with politically aligned interpretations. As a result, history has increasingly been used not as a field of inquiry grounded in evidence, but as a tool for validating political authority.

This trend undermines institutional neutrality and generates widespread confusion among citizens regarding the nation’s past.

3. Curriculum Changes and Generational Fragmentation

The most significant victims of fractured historical continuity are younger generations. Each cohort is exposed to a different version of national history, shaped by prevailing political interests rather than scholarly consensus. This prevents the formation of a shared historical memory—an essential component of nation-building and democratic citizenship.

Without a stable historical foundation, democratic values struggle to take root.

4. Democracy, Institutions, and the Stability of History

Political power is inherently transient—that is the essence of democracy. However, the history of the state, its institutions, and its constitutional framework cannot be treated as the property of any political party. When history becomes entangled in the politics of retribution, elections, judicial independence, and administrative neutrality are all weakened. Democracy is reduced from a stable process to a perpetual experiment.

5. The Warning Significance of the “Time Bomb” Metaphor

If we repeatedly dismantle historical continuity,
If we imprison the state within cycles of political vengeance,
We are constructing a time bomb for the future—

one whose explosion will spare no political party.

This warning is not directed against any particular political force. It is a state-centred appeal grounded in the logic of long-term stability. History manipulated for short-term gain ultimately destabilises those who wield power as well.

6. Recommendations and Conclusion

To safeguard Bangladesh’s democratic future, the following measures are essential:

• Placing historical integrity above partisan interests

• Treating political dissent as a democratic asset rather than an enemy

• Ensuring research-based, pluralistic history education

• Preventing elections and state institutions from becoming arenas of zero-sum victory and defeat

In conclusion, protecting historical continuity is not merely an academic obligation—it is a moral and civic responsibility. Bangladesh must not remain a political laboratory. A stable, democratic, and humane state can only be built upon a truthful, inclusive, and continuous understanding of its past.

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About the Author

Minhaz Samad Chowdhury is an Independent Human Rights Defender focusing on state violence, political rights, religious minority rights, and democratic accountability in Bangladesh.
🌐 https://hr-defender.blogspot.com