- Interim leader Yunus tackles post-Hasina governance crisis.
- Over 1,400 killed during protests against Hasina’s regime.
- New political parties emerge, pressuring for timely elections.
- International relations strained, notably with India and the US.
When Yunus returned to Bangladesh in August, he was met with a grim reality. The streets were stained with blood, and morgues were filled with the bodies of over 1,000 protesters and children, victims of police gunfire.
Sheikh Hasina had been ousted by a student-led revolution after ruling the country for 15 years with an iron fist. As enraged civilians stormed her residence seeking retribution, she fled the country in a helicopter.
At 84, Yunus, an economist and Nobel laureate known for pioneering microfinance, had long abandoned any political aspirations. Years of persecution under Hasina had kept him abroad. But when student protesters asked him to lead an interim government to restore democracy, he agreed.
“The damage she caused was massive,” Yunus told The Guardian, describing Bangladesh’s condition upon his return. “It was a devastated country, like another Gaza. But instead of destroyed buildings, we had collapsed institutions, policies, and international relationships.”
Hasina’s tenure was marked by allegations of tyranny, corruption, and brutality. The final weeks before her downfall were particularly bloody, with over 1,400 people killed during anti-government protests. The UN has suggested the crackdown could amount to crimes against humanity, though Hasina has denied using excessive force.
Turning Point for Bangladesh
Yunus’s arrival was seen as a turning point for Bangladesh. Over the past six months, senior police officials, no longer shielded by Hasina, have been prosecuted for extrajudicial killings, secret detention centers have been shut down, human rights commissions have been established, and Hasina faces hundreds of charges, all of which she denies. Yunus has vowed to hold free and fair elections between December 2025 and March 2026 before stepping down.
Yet, walking through Dhaka, a sense of uncertainty lingers. While Yunus remains widely respected, doubts have surfaced about his governance skills and the pace of reforms. Political parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), are eager to regain power and are pressuring Yunus to hold elections, questioning his legitimacy. Meanwhile, the students who led the revolution have launched their own political party.
Amir Chowdhury, a senior BNP figure, emphasized the urgency of elections. “This government was meant to be temporary,” he said. “Right now, there’s no daily accountability, and they lack the political strength to implement reforms.”
Police officers, now facing public outrage and criminal charges for their actions under Hasina, have been hesitant to return to duty, leading to a worsening security situation. Gang violence is rampant in Dhaka, and minority communities report rising harassment. On Monday, protesters burned an effigy of Home Affairs Minister Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, demanding his resignation over the deteriorating law-and-order situation.
Chief Advisor Yunus dismissed claims that the streets are less safe than under Hasina’s rule, but others warn that security may spiral out of control. Prominent student leader Nahid Islam, head of the newly formed National Citizens Party, stated that holding fair elections under the current conditions would be “impossible.”
Growing Tensions with the Army
In a recent speech, Bangladesh’s army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who played a crucial role in Hasina’s removal, warned that the country was in a “state of anarchy” and that ongoing divisions could threaten its sovereignty. Some interpreted his remarks as a direct criticism of Yunus’s leadership and a veiled warning of possible military intervention.
Yunus, however, insisted that his relationship with the military remains strong and denied any pressure from the army chief. Nonetheless, concerns about potential military interference persist.
Yunus Criticizes Hasina’s Governance
He continues to attribute the country’s current struggles to Hasina’s corrupt governance. “Hasina’s regime wasn’t a government—it was a bandit family,” he said. “One order from the top, and it was done. If someone was a problem, they disappeared. If an election was needed, they ensured a victory. If money was wanted, banks handed out million-dollar loans that never needed repayment.”
Hasina’s corrupt practices have left Bangladesh’s banking system vulnerable and the economy in crisis. Investigations are ongoing into at least $17 billion allegedly stolen by Hasina’s allies, with efforts underway in the UK, US, and Switzerland to recover the funds. However, prospects for retrieving the money soon appear slim.
Among those implicated is Hasina’s niece, Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour MP. Siddiq resigned from her Treasury position amid questions over assets allegedly linked to Hasina’s regime and a corruption probe in Bangladesh. She denies any wrongdoing.
The Rise of Islamist Extremism
Meanwhile, Yunus faces criticism for failing to curb the rise of Islamist extremism. Under Hasina, Islamist parties like Jamaat-e-Islami were banned, and their leaders were persecuted. Now, they operate freely and have gained momentum, while banned militant groups have also resurfaced.
In recent incidents, local hardline Islamist groups halted teenage girls’ football matches, and on Friday, police used tear gas to disperse Hizb-ut-Tahrir supporters demanding an Islamic caliphate in Dhaka.
International Pressures and Complications
Internationally, Yunus is under mounting pressure. India, once Hasina’s key ally, is now harboring her and has shown little interest in mending ties with Bangladesh. In December, Bangladesh formally requested Hasina’s extradition, but Yunus confirmed that India has not responded.
He warned that while India hosting her could be tolerated, allowing her to campaign against his government from there could destabilize Bangladesh.
Hasina has become increasingly vocal in her criticism of Yunus, recently calling him a “mobster” leading “terrorists.”
US Relations and the Trump Factor
Adding to Yunus’s challenges is the return of Donald Trump to the White House. The Biden administration had been one of Yunus’s strongest backers, both politically and financially. However, Trump is unlikely to prioritize Bangladesh’s democratic restoration.
Bangladesh has already suffered from Trump’s decision to slash the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which had pledged over $1 billion in aid to the country. In a speech, Trump accused USAID of funding the election of a “radical left communist” in Bangladesh, though he provided no evidence.
In a bid to maintain US support, Yunus has invited Trump’s billionaire ally Elon Musk to bring his Starlink satellite internet service to Bangladesh. Sources indicate Musk is expected to visit the country in April.
Yunus remains hopeful that Trump will see Bangladesh as a valuable economic partner. “Trump’s a dealmaker,” he said. “So I say to him: come, do business with us.” But even if Trump turns his back on Bangladesh, Yunus remains resolute: “This democratic process will not stop.”
This article is based on The Guardian’s March 10 report titled ‘Muhammad Yunus on Picking Up the Pieces in Bangladesh After ‘Monumental’ Damage by Sheikh Hasina’s Rule’ and written for Informer365.com readers.