''Shahabagi'' () is a

pejorative term A pejorative word, phrase, slur, or derogatory term is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility ...

used to refer

left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

in Bangladesh. The word originated from

2013 Shahbag protests The Shahbag protests, were widespread demonstrations held in Bangladesh in 2013. On 5 February 2013, protests ignited in Shahbagh, Bangladesh, fueled by the call for the execution of the convicted war criminal Abdul Quader Mollah. Previously sen ...

where leftists and Communists protested for hanging of

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is the largest Islamist political party in Bangladesh. The origin of the party can be traced back to the original faction founded by Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi in 1941. The predecessor of Jamaat which is known as Ja ...

politicians. The is term generally synonymous to individuals with anti-Islam attitude in Bangladesh.

Origin

The term ''Shahbagi'' is based on 2013 protest at Shahbagh which began at the call of the Bloggers and Online Activists Network, demanding the execution of Jamaat leaders and War Criminal Abdul Quader Mollah. Later it was known as the Ganajagaran Mancha led by various secularist and left wing organizations. The protests were organised by various

Secularist Secularism is the principle of seeking to conduct human affairs based on naturalistic considerations, uninvolved with religion. It is most commonly thought of as the separation of religion from civil affairs and the state and may be broadened ...

Atheist Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...

and Anti-Islam bloggers and activists.

Usage

On December 29, 2013, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh,

Khaleda Zia Begum Khaleda Zia (born August–September 1945) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the prime minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and the second fema ...

, shared a photo of a victim beaten in Shahbag protest on

Facebook Facebook is a social media and social networking service owned by the American technology conglomerate Meta Platforms, Meta. Created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with four other Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andre ...

and wrote: Following the

July Revolution The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution (), Second French Revolution, or ("Three Glorious ays), was a second French Revolution after French Revolution, the first of 1789–99. It led to the overthrow of King Cha ...

, an anti-Shahbagi platform staged a symbolic

protest A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration, or remonstrance) is a public act of objection, disapproval or dissent against political advantage. Protests can be thought of as acts of cooperation in which numerous people cooperate ...

in which a cow was named "Shahbagi" and bathed under a banner reading “গোসল কর শাহবাগী” (). In December 2024,

Mamunul Haque Mamunul Haque (born November 1973) is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar and the Joint Secretary-General of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, emerged as an Islamism, Islamist leader in the late 2010s, particularly following the deadliest events of the Siege ...

, secretary general of

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh () is a Deobandi Islamist advocacy group consisting mostly of religious teachers (''Ulama'') and students in Bangladesh. The group is mainly based on qawmi madrasas in Bangladesh. In 2013, they submitted a 13-point ch ...

referred to the group as

atheist Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...

s "created by the

Awami League The Awami League, officially known as Bangladesh Awami League, is a major List of political parties in Bangladesh, political party in Bangladesh. The oldest existing political party in the country, the party played the leading role in achievin ...

" to erase "Islamic values". Same year, On 16 December, Ameer of

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is the largest Islamist political party in Bangladesh. The origin of the party can be traced back to the original faction founded by Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi in 1941. The predecessor of Jamaat which is known as Jam ...

Shafiqur Rahman Shafiqur Rahman (; born 31 October 1958) is a Bangladeshi politician who is the current Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Early life Rahman was born on 31 October 1958 in Bhatera Union under Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar District. His ...

urged "Shahbagis" should also be brought under justice stating “those who were killed, murdered on the demand of the "Shahbagis"—they too will be brought back to justice.” In January 2025, at an exhibition in

Dhaka Dhaka ( or ; , ), List of renamed places in Bangladesh, formerly known as Dacca, is the capital city, capital and list of cities and towns in Bangladesh, largest city of Bangladesh. It is one of the list of largest cities, largest and list o ...

Islami Chhatra Shibir Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir, commonly known as Chhatrashibir or Shibir, is an Islamic student organisation in Bangladesh. It was established in 1977 as the successor to the East Pakistani faction of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba colloquially known ...

used the slogan “Take bath Shahbagi”. Later, at a conference at

Jahangirnagar University Jahangirnagar University (, abbreviated as JU; initially started as Jahangirnagar Muslim University; ) is a fully residential public university, public research university located in Savar Upazila, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was established in ...

, Shibir Central President Jahidul Islam claimed the slogan symbolized cleansing the nation's politics from fascist elements. Later in a Facebook status he alleged Shahbagis as 'agents of fascism' and responsible for establishing fascism and

Islamophobia Islamophobia is the irrational fear of, hostility towards, or hatred against the religion of Islam or Muslims in general. Islamophobia is primarily a form of religious or cultural bigotry; and people who harbour such sentiments often stereot ...

in Bangladesh through ideological hegemony. In March 2025, a clash between police and left-wing student organizations occurred while they were protesting against recent cases of rapes and violence against women around the country. Abu Shadik Kayem, coordinator of the

Students Against Discrimination Students Against Discrimination () is a platform of Student activism, student activists in Bangladesh formed in 2024 during the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement, nationwide student-led quota reform movement. The group was involved in the R ...

(SAD), and

Hasnat Abdullah Hasnat Abdullah () is a Bangladeshi politician, activist, and former convener of the Students Against Discrimination, which led the Student–People's uprising in 2024. He has been the Chief Organizer ( Southern Region) of the National Citizen P ...

, the Chief Organizer of Southern region for the

National Citizen Party The National Citizen Party (NCP; ), is a List of political parties in Bangladesh, political party in Bangladesh. Initiated by the Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, it was established on 28 February 2025 as the f ...

, expressed criticism of left-wing protesters while referring to them “Shahbagi”. Following the incident, students at

Comilla University The Comilla University is a public university located at Kotbari, Comilla, Bangladesh. The university was constructed on 244.19 acres of land at Shalban Vihara, Moynamoti, Kotbari. Comilla University is affiliated with University Grants Commi ...

Dhaka University The University of Dhaka (), also known as Dhaka University (DU), is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Established in 1921, it is the oldest active university in the country. The University of Dhaka was founded in 1921 ...

held protests featuring anti-fascist and anti-Shahbagi slogans. Demonstrators also called for the arrest of activist Lucky Aktar, labeling her Shahbagi for her role during the 2013 protest. In April 2025, Umama Fatema, supported the controversial report of Women's Affairs Reform Commission, Netizens opposing the commission labeled her "Shahbagi" which she later denied in a Facebook post. On May 2025, in an interview, Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi alleged that Shahbagis had played a role in disrupting law and order in Bangladesh. On 27 May 2025, protest was carried out at

Rajshahi University The University of Rajshahi (), also known as Rajshahi University (RU), is a Public university, public research university located in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. It is the second oldest and third largest university in Bangladesh. The university's 59 ...

with various anti-Shahbagi slogans.

issued a statement demanding trials for

Shapla Square Massacre Shapla, Bengali for a type of water lily, may refer to: * BNS ''Shapla'', a ship in the Bangladeshi Navy *Shapla Square Shapla Square (, Shapla Chottor) is a huge sculpture at the heart of Motijheel, a central business district, near the center ...

alleging role of Shahbagis.

References

External links

Who are the Shahbagi and why are they called so?
– a video report by '' The Daily Shomoyer Alo''. {{Wiktionary, Shahbagi Politics of Bangladesh Left-wing politics Liberalism in Bangladesh Secularism in Bangladesh

Origin

Usage

See also

References

External links