Bangladesh faces rising unrest under Muhammad Yunus’s “illegitimate” interim government. Citizens, analysts, and opposition leaders demand democratic restoration, citing economic collapse, political repression, and the enduring influence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid growing instability.
Bangladesh is witnessing growing public discontent and calls for liberation from what citizens and analysts describe as the “illegitimate rule” of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which came to power in August 2024. According to a detailed report published on Saturday, the Yunus regime has plunged the country into a state of political and economic uncertainty marked by repression, censorship, and instability.
The report, cited by Northeast News, highlights that the voices of dissent have only grown louder in recent months. It noted that recent interviews given by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Western media outlets have significantly unsettled the current regime. These interviews, which have reportedly been suppressed within Bangladesh under strict media censorship orders, have revived debates over democracy and legitimacy in the nation’s governance.
Sheikh Hasina’s Relevance Remains Strong
“Coming at a time when the unconstitutional regime plans to pass judgment on the former Prime Minister through a now partisan and indeed irrelevant International Crimes Tribunal for crimes allegedly committed by her—and possibly clamp a sentence of death on her—these interviews are a powerful indication of why Sheikh Hasina still remains relevant in the country’s politics,” wrote Syed Badrul Ahsan, a Bangladeshi journalist, historian, and political analyst, in Northeast News.
Ahsan stressed that any election held under the Yunus-led administration without the participation of the Awami League would be meaningless. “Any move to hold elections by the regime without the participation of the Awami League will render the whole exercise hollow,” he wrote.
Growing Political Tensions and Calls for Inclusion
According to the report, nearly 40–45 percent of Bangladeshi voters traditionally support the Awami League’s policies. If the party and its supporters boycott upcoming elections, the entire democratic exercise could collapse, leading to further instability and unrest.
Echoing similar sentiments, G M Quader, Chairman of the Jatiyo Party (JP), recently declared that no credible elections can take place in Bangladesh without the participation of both the Awami League and the JP. Analysts interpret these statements as a sign of shifting political winds across Bangladesh’s troubled landscape.
Meanwhile, demonstrations and processions have intensified in Dhaka and other regions as supporters of the Awami League and its allied organisations continue to demand restoration of democratic rule and the reinstatement of Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
Economic Collapse Deepens Discontent
Beyond politics, Bangladesh’s economic crisis under the Yunus regime has aggravated public frustration. The report outlines a grim scenario of inflation, job losses, and dwindling opportunities.
“The economy remains in poor condition, with citizens struggling to cope with soaring prices of essentials in shops and local markets, while employment opportunities continue to shrink,” the report noted. “Thousands of garment workers have lost jobs in the past 15 months. Education has been in free fall. Foreign investment, which has been the mantra of the Yunus regime, has not materialised. An increasing number of countries have been refusing to provide visas for Bangladeshis.”
Observers say the economic meltdown has eroded whatever legitimacy the interim government initially claimed. Ordinary citizens, facing mounting hardships, now appear more vocal in demanding an end to what many call a “technocratic dictatorship.”
Discord and Crude Rhetoric Within the Regime
Adding to the sense of chaos, the report criticised the Yunus government’s functionaries for speaking in “discordant voices” on matters they poorly understand. “These functionaries have been observed proffering opinions on subjects clearly not in their remit,” it said.
The report further accused several members of the regime of spreading crude rhetoric on social media. “Some among them have achieved notoriety through lashing out at a below-the-belt level at individuals whose points of view they cannot stomach. Crudity has been weaponised to denigrate those critical of the Yunus regime,” it concluded.
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As the situation deteriorates, Bangladesh appears to be entering a critical phase—where demands for democracy, accountability, and legitimacy are once again echoing across the streets, while the Yunus regime faces mounting domestic and international pressure to hold free and fair elections.
