The Voice News: Bangladesh is currently grappling with deep political unrest triggered by a combination of historical grievances, economic hardship, and slow-paced reforms following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Roots of the Unrest
The unrest was ignited in July 2024 by a student-led movement protesting the revival of a controversial public job quota system that reserved 30% of positions for relatives of 1971 war veterans. This move was widely criticized by young citizens as unfair and symbolic of long-standing political nepotism. What began as a protest quickly swelled into a national uprising—dubbed the “July Revolution”—with widespread demands for democratic reforms and the resignation of Hasina.
A violent government crackdown followed, leaving over 1,000 dead and thousands injured. Public outrage escalated, ultimately forcing Hasina to resign and flee to India.
Transition Under Yunus and Reform Deadlock
In the aftermath, an interim government was formed under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Tasked with stabilizing the nation and enacting key reforms, Yunus vowed to restore judicial independence and reinstate a non-partisan caretaker system for elections.
However, his slow pace of reform has frustrated political factions and the general public. Tensions have also mounted over Yunus’s proposed election window of December 2025 to June 2026—an idea opposed by both the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the military, who are calling for elections no later than December 2025.
Crackdowns and Political Bans
The situation worsened when the Election Commission suspended the Awami League’s registration, effectively banning the former ruling party from participating in upcoming elections. The interim government cited national security risks and the party’s alleged role in the violent suppression of July 2024 protests.
Additionally, a sweeping security operation—dubbed “Operation Devil Hunt”—has resulted in the arrest of over 11,000 individuals linked to the previous regime. While officials claim the operation targets instability, critics say it stifles dissent and deepens political polarization.
Economic Discontent Fuels Frustration
At the heart of the ongoing crisis are longstanding economic challenges. Despite years of impressive GDP growth, youth unemployment remains staggeringly high—nearly 18 million young people are jobless. This disparity between macroeconomic growth and real job opportunities has contributed significantly to the anger among Bangladesh’s youth, particularly the educated class.
Rise of Extremism and Minority Attacks
The collapse of strong centralized leadership has created a vacuum, allowing radical Islamist groups to resurface. Minority communities—especially Hindus and Ahmadiyyas—have reported a surge in violence, with over 2,200 incidents recorded between August and December 2024. This escalation raises alarms about the erosion of Bangladesh’s secular identity.
Military’s Warning and Role
While supporting early elections, the military has voiced concern about escalating disorder. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has cautioned that internal infighting could jeopardize national unity and roll back the gains of the revolution.
Bangladesh’s political crisis reflects a volatile mixture of delayed institutional reform, divisive electoral planning, mass arrests, economic discontent, and rising extremism. The path forward lies in fostering inclusive dialogue, ensuring a credible and timely election, and addressing the root causes of public disillusionment.