Rifat Hasan

Rifat Hasan (; born 17 January 1980) is a Bangladeshi writer and poet.

He is the author of Shomporko, Bondhutto O Rajniti, a nonfiction book published in 2014 that sparked both debate and criticism for its ideas on friendship, critique of modern politics, and its exploration of the complexities of political practices in post-independence Bangladesh. His books, op-eds, public lectures, and interviews have influenced young writers and thinkers in Bangladesh.

Biography

In 2013, Hasan was one of the first few intellectuals to denounce the massive Shahbag demonstrations, termed the movement as fascist in nature and inimical to the idea of justice. In a March 2014 interview, he further condemned Shahbag protesters for restricting liberal discourse in society and failing to critically assess the war crimes tribunal under Sheikh Hasina's regime, which, to Hasan, created a point of no return in Bangladeshi politics and society. and calls for a new constitution to restore public ownership of the country. He proposes forming an all-party Guardian Council to oversee the drafting process, with a constitutional reform commission preparing a draft to be adopted through a referendum.

In a December 2024 public talk, Hasan emphasized the value of public dialogue over intellectual discussions. He proposed a referendum, if necessary, to address the debate on whether fascists have the right to engage in politics, including participation in elections, and on adopting a new constitution for the post-fascist era. To him, decisions on such matters cannot be left to vested BNP and Jamaat leaders, as the true stakeholders are the common people. Without the consent of the masses, no commission has the legitimacy to endorse the rehabilitation of fascists.

The 'July Charter'

Hasan was an early advocate for the idea of a 'revolutionary manifesto',

The Mujibist 'Religious War' Framework

According to Hasan, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman imposed a persistent 'religious war' framework in post-independence Bangladesh. Hasan argued that, Mujib framed collaboration and opposition to the Liberation War in religious rather than political terms. This framework, Hasan explained, labeled one segment of society as 'supporters of independence' and another as its opponents, placing Bangladesh in what he described as a permanent state of 'religious war'.

Hasan contended that Mujibur Rahman missed the opportunity to take a decisive stance on whether to allow or ban political parties that had opposed Bangladesh's emergence and collaborated with the Pakistani army. Instead of banning those parties for their collaboration, Mujib, according to Hasan, chose to ban Islamic parties solely for pursuing religion-based politics. Text, Conspiracy O Rupkotha (Text, Conspiracy and FairyTale, 2021)

Interview

Memories of Fascism: Collected Interviews of Rifat Hasan, 2025