Postcolonial residual: Foundation of national Identity of Bangladesh

Abstract

Colonized nation-sates cannot escape the residual problems of the colonial environment. The birth of Bangladesh as a self-governing nation-state is directly influenced by its colonial rulers (both British Raj and Pakistan). Without conscious awareness of colonial history and accepting the secular aspect of nationalism, the future of this nation is threatened with atrocities leading to a state of chaos realm backed by opportunist groups both from home and abroad. Beyond the debate of territorial rights and system of government, one’s national identity has to safeguard the human aspect of an individual. Ideological aspect of identity should not redeem the individual freedom. At the same time, the tension of existential security should not reduce the intellectual freedom. A genuine leadership is a must to emancipate the mass people in the light of nationalism.