Abstract This article traces the formation of the secular in Bangladesh during the period of 1947–71. Arguably, this is a period when the idea of a ‘secular Bengali nation’ as opposed to ‘Islamic Pakistani nationalism’ was coined in by the political forces to foster imagination of a Bengali root of East Pakistan. This article argues with multiple evidence that particular project of secular Bengali nationalism in the sense of strict separation of religion and politics as opposed to religious nationalism makes little sense in contemporary Bangladesh as major parties here are found to manipulate religious nationalism in a society where simplistic and unenlightened interpretation of religion plays a significant role. This article argues that the idea of secular nationalism had multiple meanings and roots during 1947–71 and by acknowledging diverse roots of secular nationalism, it is possible to make sense of contemporary Bangladesh that is by all secular indicators turned into an intolerant entity but at the same time it is equally important to note that Bangladesh's intolerance is devoid of enlightened application and teaching of Islam.

中文翻译：

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东巴基斯坦“世俗”的多元根源（1947-71）和当代孟加拉国的“世俗主义”危机

摘要 本文追溯了 1947-71 年间孟加拉世俗的形成。可以说，在这个时期，政治力量创造了“世俗的孟加拉民族”而不是“伊斯兰巴基斯坦民族主义”的想法，以培养对东巴基斯坦孟加拉人根源的想象。本文以多种证据论证了在宗教和政治严格分离的意义上与宗教民族主义相对的世俗孟加拉民族主义的特定项目在当代孟加拉国几乎没有意义，因为这里的主要政党被发现在一个简单化的社会中操纵宗教民族主义对宗教的不开明的解释起着重要作用。