A Year After the Uprising: Bangladesh in Flux
On July 15, 2024, a student-led uprising forced long‑time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile, ending her 15‑year rule. One year later, under interim leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the nation grapples with political fragmentation, institutional reform, human rights concerns, and a shifting foreign policy .
Political Fragmentation & Election Deadlock
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The once‑dominant Awami League has been banned, and Hasina now faces trial on crimes‑against‑humanity charges related to the crushing of the 2024 protests .
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Student protest leaders have formed a new political party, challenging both the BNP and the Islamist Jamaat‑e‑Islami, which has re‑entered politics after being suppressed .
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The BNP pressures for an immediate election, while Yunus demands reforms first. Meanwhile, the military suggested holding elections by December—a suggestion Yunus resisted. Yunus recently announced elections are planned for April 2026, but agreement remains elusive
Campaign of Institutional Reform
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Since September 2024, Yunus formed 11 reform commissions aiming to overhaul the constitution, electoral system, judiciary, police, anti‑corruption, and more Four commissions completed reports by January 2025
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Proposed changes include limiting premiership terms, instituting a two‑tier parliament, reforming police oversight and judicial independence. However, deep splits persist: Islamists and student leaders back extended reforms, BNP insists on quick elections
Law & Order Vacuum & Human Rights
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Following police withdrawal and army step‑in, Bangladesh has seen escalating violent crime, communal attacks against minorities—particularly Hindus—and repression of journalists
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Human Rights Watch acknowledged the interim government ended enforced disappearances, but warned of limited security‑sector reform and continued bias against critics .
Islamist Mobilization
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Islamist groups vie for power, with Jamaat‑e‑Islami re‑aligning with student leaders, advocating Sharia law, and challenging women’s rights
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However, despite their visibility, experts caution they remain electorally weak—yet their rise deepens political uncertainty and polarization
Foreign Policy Realignment
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Bangladesh has pivoted away from India—Hasina’s close ally—and toward China, signing deals during Yunus’s March visit. India responded by halting visas and rejecting Dhaka’s extradition request for Hasina
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Relations with the U.S. have cooled: a Trump‑led administration suspended USAID funds in January, demanding economic pragmatism from Dhaka .
Conclusion: A Nation at Crossroads
Bangladesh stands at a perilous juncture. The initial surge of hope following Hasina’s removal has given way to political disarray, institutional fragility, social unrest, and diplomatic recalibration. While Yunus’s interim government seeks reform and democratic renewal, they face deep resistance from entrenched parties, rising Islamist groups, and fractured institutions.
Elections planned for April 2026 offer a potential reset—but only if trust is rebuilt, reforms are solidified, and security and rights are protected. Without addressing the underlying turmoil, Bangladesh could struggle to fulfill its democratic promise amid regional and global pressures.