Reclaiming Civilisation: A Call for Morality and Justice in Bangladesh
Rabindranath Tagore's classic essay "Crisis of Civilisation" exposed the moral degeneration of society, a lack of humanity, and discrimination among individuals, which is still mirrored in today's so-called new Bangladesh. Looking around, we can see that we are heading into a chaotic, directionless society. Morality and humanity were fading by the day. Almost all of us are affected by this degeneration in some way at all levels of society. The erosion of ideas and ideals caused by vested interests is increasingly apparent in the country's politics, economics, and society. In this environment, examining the underlying principles of modern civilisation is critical. But is there anything good about this discussion? Is there still a healthy feeling of debate in a society of brilliant, disinterested aesthetic thinkers? Although they may not be seen in the light of day. The entire country is plagued by social and extreme religious wickedness, corruption, and abuse of power in the social, political, and administrative systems, all aspects of the general moral problem in the country. On the one hand, Hunger for power and violence among the wealthy and vital is on the rise; on the other, insane religious extremists and opponents of the liberation war are on the rise. Society's fight is leaving Hunger and trampling on ordinary citizens' goals, aspirations, and voices. Minorities are openly tortured and threatened. Meetings and processions against minorities are occurring on the streets in front of the government and politicians. The persecution of minorities, even ordinary people, is on the rise. The general population is concerned about the government's role in this issue.
To understand the current situation, we must look at the outlook and teachings of East and Western thinkers. One of the Western philosophers is Plato. His social, political and philosophical thoughts have inspired the world and guided social change throughout the ages. His famous book, "The Republic," discusses many profound and vital issues of justice, policy, and the role of the state. According to Plato, rulers must have moral education to build a moral society, and governance must prioritise normative aspects. If we compare this view of Plato with the current political and administrative context of Bangladesh, what do we all see? No one would disagree that there is a gross lack of morality and abuse of power throughout the country. Justice and human values have been destroyed due to human-to-human differences and discrimination. According to Plato, this situation will deteriorate unless there is an ideological change in society. Another Western philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, noted in his "Social Contract" that humans are born free and equal. However, their freedom and equality are interfered with through various rules and regulations of society. In the current situation of Bangladesh, the interference with the rights of ordinary people in the political and social spheres and the discriminatory treatment towards minorities is consistent with Rousseau's ideas. Here, the powerful have established a regime of corruption and discrimination for their own benefit, which creates immorality in society. However, just two months ago, the last government collapsed due to the explosion of extreme anti-discrimination movements. As soon as the new interim government came to power, new discrimination started.
The Chinese philosopher Confucius referred to his thoughts on morality and the duties of a ruler. According to him, the peace and stability of a society are maintained only when the rulers are just, and their rule is based on morality. This doctrine of Confucius is also relevant to the current situation in Bangladesh. The practice of justice in our country's political and social spheres is gradually decreasing, resulting in increasing injustice, corruption, and violence in society. If the ruling class does not follow moral values, peace and justice will not be established. Rabindranath Tagore wrote in his essay that the crisis of civilisation begins when people lose their sense of morality and human values. This crisis is more evident in today's Bangladesh. Incidents of persecution, religious and ethnic conflict, and violence against minority communities are on the rise. Incidents of property grabbing of minorities, vandalism of temples, and religious persecution in recent years have made the moral decay of society even more evident. These events are questioning our human values and driving us towards an inhumane society. The root cause of this degeneration is the lack of moral education. The education system of our country lacks teaching about humanity and ethics. The pressures of economic prosperity and competition have diverted our attention to moral education in the family, school, and other areas of society where morality should be taught. The practice of humanity and compassion is gradually decreasing in society, which is creating a moral crisis for future generations.
Among the early philosophers, Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, emphasised the importance of morality and humanity. He said, "The best religion of humanity is kindness, compassion and justice." In our current society, especially in a country like Bangladesh, the teachings of Gautama Buddha are truly relevant. If kindness, compassion, and justice are not practised at every level of society, social justice cannot be established, and inequality among people will not be eliminated. The corruption, discrimination, and violence we see in the political, social, and economic spheres of our country is a reflection of the true crisis of civilisation. The only way out of this crisis is to re-establish our human values and moral education. Rulers should conduct themselves according to the standards of moral education and establish justice for ordinary people. The moral teachings and human values of Western and eastern philosophers can be helpful to reconstruct the current society of Bangladesh. Morality and humanity must be practiced at every level of society, and then the future of our country will move towards a just and humane society.
The incidents of oppression and discrimination against minorities in Bangladesh are not only against humanity and morality but also against the basic teachings of Islam. One of Islam's most important core teachings is insaf, or justice. Islam gives equal importance to the dignity and rights of every human being and strictly suppresses unjustly inflicting violence or injustice on anyone. Prophet Muhammad repeatedly said in his Farewell Hajj speech that non-Arabs have no superiority over Arabs, Arab has no superiority over non-Arabs, Black has no superiority over whites, and White has no superiority over Black people; all are equal before Allah. In this speech in 632 AD, Prophet Muhammad spoke about equality, human rights and social justice. This message reminds us that discrimination or oppression based on caste, religion, or tribe is in no way condoned in Islam. Islam has given particular importance to the protection and rights of minorities. The Holy Qur'an states, "There is no compulsion in religion" (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 256). Trying to forcefully change someone's religion or rights is strictly prohibited. There are examples of respecting non-Muslim minorities (e.g., Jews and Christians) and protecting their religious freedom from the earliest days of Islam. When Caliph Omar conquered Jerusalem, he agreed to respect the property and religious buildings of non-Muslims, which is regarded as a model of peaceful coexistence in Islam. The persecution of minorities by some Islamic fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh is in stark contrast to Islam's core ideals of tolerance and justice.
In this situation, all religious people should follow the true teachings of Swadharma, where compassion, respect and justice towards minorities prevail. Peace and stability in society are maintained only when everyone, irrespective of their religion, caste, or community, behaves compassionately and respectfully towards each other. Rabindranath's "Crisis of Civilisation" teaches us that civilisation cannot survive without human values and ethics. Islamic teachings convey the same message—justice, compassion, and tolerance should be the foundation of society. It has become more relevant in the current context of Bangladesh. Injustice and religious violence against minorities not only reflect the degradation of humanity but are also against the ideals of Islam. A nation can progress only when every man is responsible for his religion and, at the same time, respects the religion of others. The teachings of Islam, Plato's concept of justice, and Rabindranath's humanism all establish that peace and prosperity can only come to society if people of all religions are compassionate and just towards each other. Only unity, morality and humanity can make our society a just, prosperous and peaceful nation where everyone can live with his rights and dignity.
The combined lifestyle of people of all religions, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians, has enriched the soil of Bangladesh. Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Mujtaba Ali, Abul Hossain, poet Jasim Uddin, Shamsur Rahman—great writers like them have proved that any religion does not limit creativity and humanity. In their works, the message of equality, love and humanity for all faiths and people has repeatedly come up. When the people of Bangladesh embrace this spirit of unity, the country will be truly prosperous, proud and peaceful. We can move towards a brighter future by respecting and loving each other regardless of caste, creed, and origin.
The challenges of Bangladesh today—rising discrimination, moral decay, and the erosion of justice—call for a reawakening of core human values that transcend religious, social, and economic divisions. Rabindranath Tagore's warning about the "Crisis of Civilisation" is hauntingly relevant, reminding us that a society built on compassion, justice, and mutual respect is essential for true progress. The teachings of Plato, Rousseau, Confucius, and Gautama Buddha, alongside the profound messages of Islam, emphasise a unified vision: peace and stability are attainable only through moral integrity and the dignified treatment of every individual. Enriched by a heritage of diversity and shared cultural pride, Bangladesh can become a beacon of coexistence if it rediscovers these fundamental ideals. By embracing a collective responsibility to protect each other's rights and dignity, the nation can rise above its challenges and pave the way for a harmonious and prosperous future. Bangladesh can only fulfill its promise of being a land where all people thrive in peace and respect with unity, humanity, and a renewed commitment to ethical values.