Removing secularism would create a profound democratic dilemma as it is the safeguard against majoritarian dominance and structural exclusion. Bangladesh’s referendum poses the same test: will democracy rest on moral restraint or unchecked numbers? More troubling still is the omission of the term “secularism” from the referendum question itself. Without secularism as a constitutional anchor, religious freedom risks becoming uneven—protecting the majority while leaving minorities exposed. Bangladesh’s referendum is not only a domestic turning point but a case study in how constitutional design shapes democratic legitimacy.