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Why secular politics in South Asia still clings to family dynasties
The Statesman Siliguri
|December 06, 2025
Why do secular parties in South Asia, despite championing democracy, cling to family names?
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Because in a battle against religious nationalism, emotion often outweighs ideology.Politics here is rarely about policies alone ~ it is about identity, history, and belonging. Across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, religious right-wing parties have mastered mobilising faith-based sentiments. In societies where literacy is low and institutions are weak, this poses a formidable challenge for secular parties. To survive, many lean on another emotional anchor: family dynasties.
This story is from the December 06, 2025 edition of The Statesman Siliguri.
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