Bangladesh is characterized as a mono-national Bengali state by some, which also becomes more vivid in the remote rural areas, especially when killings based on religion is not an unheard issue. In the recent times we have witnessed several killings of people speaking voice again injustice to others due to religious believes has put on by a group of activists, for example killing of an atheist blogger (bdnews24, 2013) and a media host (Dhaka Tribune, 2014) for a religious program in television along with torching down the temples nation-wide. God is beyond verbal comprehension, which is why, according to Kierkegaard; God can only be understood through silent contemplation, or the realm of the ineffable (Kabir, 2007).
On the other hand, many believe along with the government that Bangladesh is an inclusive multinational state with several minority group and a religion that emphasizes an egalitarian society. In political terms, secularism is a movement towards the separation of religion and government (often termed the separation of church and state). This can refer to reducing ties between a government and a state religion, replacing laws based on scripture (such as the Bible, Torah and Sharia law) with civil laws, and eliminating discrimination on the basis of religion. This is said to add to democracy by protecting the rights of religious minorities. The following is a quote taken from an article by Dr. Sinha M. A. Sayeed on secularism:.
'Sir, is Bangladesh a secular state?' asked a student sitting on the last bench in the class. 'Yes, constitutionally it is but factually it is not so seeing that religion "Islam" has been declared as the state religion by the Constitution (Eight Amendment) Act of 1989 during HM Ershad regime and, ironically enough, it was further strengthened by the Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Act of 1911 during the period of the ongoing democratic rule of Sheikh Hasina government.
