In recent months, Indian media outlets have increasingly turned their attention to Bangladesh, painting an alarming picture of a country supposedly sliding into religious extremism. These claims, often unsubstantiated and sensationalized, ignore the significant strides Bangladesh has made in countering violent extremism (CVE) over the past decade. The portrayal is not only misleading but appears to serve a political agenda that could undermine regional stability and cooperation.

Bangladesh has experienced its share of violent extremism, particularly during the 2010s. During this period, the country was also proactively adopting measures to counter extremism such as passing Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012, creating a National Committee for Intelligence Coordination, a 17-member National Committee on Militancy Resistance, and the banning of all terrorist groups designated by the United Nations Security Council. It also took initiatives to reform the Aliya and Quami madrasas by incorporating them into mainstream and secular educational curricula, as radical ideologies were discovered to be spread among young students of Madrasas who later became involved in such militant acts.

The gruesome Holey Artisan Bakery attack in 2016, where 22 people were killed by Islamist militants, marked a turning point in the nation's approach to security. What followed was not mere rhetoric, but a comprehensive, state-led strategy involving law enforcement agencies, intelligence coordination, and legal reforms. A zero-tolerance policy was pursued to track down militants, Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) was introduced, along with a joint clearance operations strategy followed through by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC). The Government also increased monitoring of cyberspace and social media where extremists were found to be building their network. The clearance operations dismantled several extremist networks, including neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (neo-JMB) and Ansar al-Islam who were involved in the attack, resulting in the deaths of 79, arrests of more than 512; setting a precedent that Holey Artisan tragedy won’t be repeated in the country.

Promoting counter-narrative to extremist ideologies

Unlike many countries that have relied heavily only on militarized responses, Bangladesh adopted a softer approach in parallel: promoting a counter-narrative to extremist ideologies. Religious scholars, civil society organizations, and educators were brought into the fold to promote moderate Islamic teachings and discourage radical interpretations. Mosques were urged to promote messages of peace in Friday sermons. Campaigns through social media and traditional media educated youth about the dangers of extremism, often using former radicals to speak about their disillusionment with militant ideologies.

Bangladesh’s secular constitution and long-standing tradition of religious tolerance provided a foundation for this strategy. No matter the political alignment, every administration in Bangladesh has treated violent extremism as a serious security issue. This is one of the reasons why such radicals have never really dominated or gained political relevance in the country.

Media portrayal disingenuous

Given this context, recent Indian media coverage suggesting a surge in extremism in Bangladesh appears disingenuous at best and malicious at worst. Headlines warning of “rising Islamic radicalism” in Bangladesh have proliferated across Indian outlets, often citing dubious sources or relying on anecdotal evidence. Some claim that political Islam is on the rise, while others hint at increasing Taliban-like sentiments, a claim that bears no resemblance to on-ground realities.

These narratives emerge within a broader pattern of Indian media framing its neighbors, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and now Bangladesh as security threats. The tactic serves both domestic political purposes and regional posturing. By depicting Muslim-majority nations as unstable and extremist, certain elements in India bolster the narrative of a “Hindu Rashtra” under siege, thereby justifying the government’s increasingly majoritarian policies. Furthermore, Indian internal politics, especially before elections, often resort to external scapegoating. Bangladesh, with its geographical proximity and shared history, becomes an easy target particularly when political parties seek to galvanize support through nationalist rhetoric.

Contrary to these portrayals, Bangladesh today is not a hotbed of extremism but a nation experiencing relative stability, economic growth, and cautious optimism. The country has consistently ranked among the top performers in South Asia in terms of GDP growth over the past decade. Dhaka’s garment industry continues to flourish, its digital economy is expanding, and rural electrification and infrastructure development are transforming millions of lives. Importantly, there has been no significant extremist attack in recent years that matches the scale or impact of those witnessed in 2015-2016. This is a testament to the success of the multi-pronged approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, education, and rehabilitation.

Risk of fraying ties

Indian media’s portrayal of Bangladesh as sliding into extremism also threatens to derail valuable regional cooperation initiatives. South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world, despite shared histories and cultural ties. Any attempt to isolate Bangladesh or provoke fear-mongering narratives does not serve the interests of the region’s people. India and Bangladesh have enjoyed largely cordial relations in recent years; however such baseless media narratives risk fraying this relationship, especially when they echo Islamophobic tropes that Bangladeshis find deeply offensive.

It’s also worth noting that India itself has witnessed a troubling rise in sectarian violence and religious polarization in recent years. The banning of documentaries, imprisonment of activists, and open hate speech by public figures raise serious questions about the health of democracy and pluralism in India. Perhaps Indian media should turn its gaze inward before casting aspersions on its neighbors.

Bangladesh’s journey in confronting violent extremism is a story of resilience, strategic planning, and community partnership. It has not been perfect, and challenges remain, particularly in terms of political freedoms and the need for more inclusive governance. But to suggest that Bangladesh is currently sliding into radicalism is simply untrue and unjust. The Indian media and political ecosystem must recognize the damage caused by propagating false narratives. Responsible journalism requires context, evidence, and integrity especially when discussing sensitive issues that affect international relations and public perceptions. Instead of vilifying its neighbors, India should support cooperative frameworks that encourage mutual security, prosperity, and trust. Bangladesh has done the hard work of confronting violent extremism. The least its neighbors can do is acknowledge that truth and not distort it for domestic political gains.

(The author is doing her MSS in Peace and Conflict Studies, Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Views are personal. She can be reached at sadiakorobi007@gmail.com)