Nepal, Dec. 1 -- Why do secular parties in South Asia, despite championing democracy, cling to family names? 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.

Bangladesh offers the clearest example. After the 1947 Partition, Islamic parties in East Pakistan exploited religious identity. When Bangladesh gained indepe...