DHAKA, Bangladesh - Bangladesh is experiencing significant political upheaval following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after a student-led uprising in August 2024. This uprising ended her 15-year rule and marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s democracy. In the aftermath, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, assumed leadership of a new interim government and pledged to restore democracy through credible elections and constitutional reforms, aiming to soothe a nation reeling from weeks of violence that began on July 15, 2024.
A year after the protests, however, the Yunus administration faces mounting challenges, including growing political uncertainty and the resurgence of religious polarization. The political landscape, once dominated by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has become increasingly fragmented. The student protesters who catalyzed Hasina's downfall have formed a new political party, but they are accused by rivals of collusion with the Yunus government for political advantage.
The landscape further complicates as the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami has re-entered the political arena after being suppressed for over a decade under Hasina's regime. Positioned to seize upon the political vacuum left by the Awami League, which was banned in May, Jamaat-e-Islami's involvement has intensified competition over political dominance within various societal spheres, including the judiciary and educational institutions. They, alongside the BNP, are at odds over a proposed new parliamentary election, with Yunus suggesting April 2025 for polls amidst a backdrop of deteriorating law and order.
As political factions vie for supremacy, expert analysts express skepticism about the Yunus administration's ability to fulfill its lofty aspirations. Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation, observes that the interim government grapples with immense expectations to achieve democratic restoration, complicated by its lack of a public mandate.
Yunus has opted to delay elections until essential reforms are implemented, encompassing proposals for constitutional changes affecting the prime ministerial term limits, the formation of a two-tier parliament, and the appointment of a chief justice. However, consensus on these reforms is elusive. While the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have shown conditional support for some changes, significant disagreements persist regarding fundamental reforms, and the political landscape remains divided.
Human rights concerns remain a pressing issue under Yunus's leadership. Minority groups, particularly Hindus, assert that the new administration has failed to safeguard them against ongoing violence and discrimination. Reports from advocacy groups indicate that Hindu communities have faced hundreds of attacks since the regime change. The interim government has been accused by Hasina's party of suppressing dissent by arresting tens of thousands of their supporters, although Yunus's administration denies these allegations.
On the ideological front, Islamist factions, some advocating for Sharia law, are maneuvering to align themselves with larger political entities like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, potentially further dividing the already fragmented political environment in Bangladesh.
In terms of foreign relations, the Yunus government is reevaluating Bangladesh's diplomatic ties. After Hasina's fall, Yunus shifted towards closer relations with China, contrasting with Hasina's alignment with India. His inaugural state visit was to China in March 2025, securing investments and financial aid; meanwhile, India's non-response to Hasina's extradition requests highlights the cooling of diplomatic ties. In the global arena, Yunus enjoys strong support from Western nations and international organizations, but the recent suspension of USAID funds by the Trump administration poses significant challenges for his government as it seeks to stabilize the nation post-uprising.
The current political climate in Bangladesh is characterized by uncertainty, as the Yunus administration grapples with internal divisions and escalating demands from various political factions, leaving the country at a crossroads as it navigates its collective future.
