In recent years, the number of terrorist incidents and related casualties have steadily declined in Bangladesh. Yet the problem of Islamist extremism remains, as can be witnessed in the frequent outbursts of massive political violence, increase in religiously motivated illiberalism, and a general shrinking of free, liberal, and secular thinking. At the centre stage of this phenomenon stands the Hefazat-e-Islam (HeI). The HeI is the most recent and largest entity in Bangladesh’s complex web of ultra-conservative, radicalised Islamist groupings. It is categorised by a large variety of terms, for instance as a Islamist pressure group, an Islamist advocacy movement, an ultraconservative Islamist group, a socio-political extremist group, or a Islamic social movement (Mostofa 2021: 53). There are even demands to designate it as a terrorist group. Each of these terms reflects a certain aspect of the HeI; however, none really describes the whole picture of how the HeI is challenging the secular and democratic foundations of the state – and contributing to the menace of violent Islamism in Bangladesh. During the last 12 years Bangladesh witnessed not only violent mass protests and vandalism stirred by HeI supporters but also a firm counter-reaction by the government – so as to protect the state, citizenry, and law and order more generally speaking. Because many senior members of the HeI were arrested for their role in public unrests, and as the organisation also suffered from a leadership crisis, some analysts even concluded that the Islamist organisation became much less of a threat. However, such an assessment is short-sighted since it does not consider the facts on the ground. It also fails to understand the Islamist menace in Bangladesh (and beyond) in general – and the the HeI organisation in particular. More concretely, who is actual guiding the HeI? Here we must considerthe links between the HeI and other Islamist groups and political parties, foremost the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The puzzle also requires inquiring on are the relations between the government and the HeI. Further, what is the role of the HeI in the attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh? How far is HeI undermining democracy, particularly free, liberal, and secular thinking? Must be the HeI recognised as an anti-state as well asa terrorist entity?