The recent repatriation of two Bangladeshi construction workers from Singapore over extremist social media activity has intensified scrutiny of growing hardline religious currents in Bangladesh. The two men were detained upon arrival in Dhaka on July 8 and placed in police custody as investigations into their possible links with militant groups continue, authorities said.

Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD) reported that Tayani Md Risad, 25, expressed support for radical Islamist preacher Shafiur Rahman Farabi, while Islam Sahedul, 37, posted provocative remarks about the Israel-Iran conflict and labeled Muslims opposing Islamic law as infidels. Although ISD found no evidence of planned attacks or terrorist involvement within Singapore, it deemed their views disruptive to social harmony.

This episode follows earlier incidents that have raised concerns about rising religious extremism in Bangladesh, including the 2025 arrest of 36 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia suspected of Islamic State affiliations and a nationwide terror alert issued by Bangladeshi police in April 2026.

Since the 2024 political upheaval that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, hardline religious rhetoric has become more visible in Bangladesh’s public discourse and online platforms. The increased political openness has allowed Islamist groups greater space to promote conservative agendas. Notably, in May 2025, Hefazat-e-Islam—a prominent Islamist movement with deep madrassah roots—mobilized large protests against recommendations by the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, resulting in the abandonment of proposed reforms.

Concerns over freedom of expression have also mounted. Poet Sohel Hasan Galib was imprisoned in February 2025 amid allegations of blasphemy that incited calls for violence against him, prompting criticism from writers and rights advocates about curbs on literary freedom.

An assessment by the International Crisis Group in April 2026 attributed the growing visibility of extremist narratives to political uncertainty and lax law enforcement, although it noted that violent incidents remain limited. Experts acknowledge the emergence of once fringe views gaining social acceptance but stop short of describing violent extremism as widespread.

A public demonstration in March 2025, where thousands gathered to call for establishing a caliphate in Bangladesh, highlighted this shift. The rally was organized by the banned group Hizb ut-Tahrir, known for advocating a transnational Islamic caliphate and proscribed in Bangladesh since 2009.

Hardline Islamist pressures have increasingly influenced social and cultural activities. Women’s football matches have been canceled amid fears of protests, and progressive proposals on inheritance and family law have faced resistance from conservative factions. Sufi shrines have also experienced attacks, reflecting tensions within the religious landscape.

In response, advocates for women’s rights, cultural freedom, and pluralism have mobilized against intimidation and called for enhanced state protections, signaling a contest over the country’s social fabric and democratic space.

Despite the absence of a surge in terrorist attacks, isolated events signal ongoing security concerns. In December 2025, an explosion at a madrassah near Dhaka prompted a terrorism investigation, leading to the arrest of several suspects including the institution’s director.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led administration has pledged a firm stance against terrorism and extremism. Addressing Parliament on July 15, Rahman emphasized the government’s refusal to tolerate any form of radicalism and urged cross-party cooperation, particularly targeting Jamaat-e-Islami, the principal Islamist opposition party, which advocates Islamic governance within constitutional boundaries.

Analysts caution that the government’s credibility will depend on its ability to differentiate legitimate religious expression from intimidation or violence, especially when politically influential actors are implicated or minorities are targeted.

Economic frustrations, social grievances, and political instability are seen as underlying factors contributing to the spread of hardline religious ideas. While most recorded cases involve young to middle-aged men from diverse backgrounds, comprehensive data on radicalization patterns remains limited.

As Bangladesh confronts these challenges, the government’s response and broader societal efforts will be crucial in shaping the country’s future trajectory amid increasingly visible religious currents.