The political landscape in Bangladesh has undergone a dramatic shift in 2024, marked by the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years in power. Her tenure ended in August following a series of mass protests, largely driven by students dissatisfied with the government’s corruption and its increasingly authoritarian practices, such as curbing free speech, jailing opposition members, and undermining independent institutions. The protests escalated into violent clashes, with security forces loyal to Hasina responding with deadly force, leading to over 600 deaths and thousands of injuries(The Diplomat)(DW).
The aftermath of Hasina’s departure saw Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, known for his work in microfinance, take charge of an interim government. This administration, which includes student leaders at its helm, has prioritized institutional reforms and restoring public trust. Yunus and his cabinet have focused on overhauling the judiciary, police, and election commission, which had been weakened under Hasina’s rule(The Diplomat)(DW). Rebuilding public confidence is critical, as the protesters had accused Hasina’s Awami League of deeply corrupt practices, including manipulating electoral outcomes.
The interim government is seen as a possible step toward a more democratic and inclusive political system, but challenges remain. There are ongoing concerns about stability, as unrest continues in certain sectors, particularly among garment workers, who are demanding better wages and improved working conditions(The Diplomat). While Yunus’s administration has managed to calm some of the immediate violence, the long-term success of the government hinges on its ability to manage these protests and to set a date for credible elections.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League officials have fled into exile, with many facing criminal charges for their roles in the violent suppression of protests and alleged human rights abuses(DW). Hasina herself is now in India, and there are growing calls for her extradition to face trial in Bangladesh. However, her close relationship with the Indian government makes this unlikely, although a UN fact-finding mission has been launched to investigate the abuses carried out during her rule(DW).
The Awami League, once Bangladesh’s dominant political force, has seen its influence significantly diminished. Many of its members have been arrested or gone into hiding, and its offices across the country have been abandoned or destroyed(DW). Although some, like Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, claim that the party is far from finished, many analysts believe the Awami League must undergo significant reforms if it is to remain relevant in Bangladesh’s future political scene(DW).
As the interim government moves forward, it faces pressure to deliver tangible reforms before elections are held. These include demands for judicial accountability, economic recovery, and, critically, ensuring that future elections are free and fair. However, given Bangladesh’s history of political volatility, there are concerns that the current period of relative calm could unravel if the interim government is unable to manage these complex issues effectively(The Diplomat)(Eurasia Review). Additionally, the specter of military involvement looms, with fears that a “king’s party” could emerge, backed by the military, if the reform process stalls(Eurasia Review).
In conclusion, Bangladesh’s political future remains uncertain, with both hope and tension lingering. The interim government has set the stage for potential democratization, but much depends on its ability to maintain order, rebuild institutions, and organize credible elections while balancing competing political forces, public dissatisfaction, and the country’s delicate social fabric.
