A year after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with the country teetering between hope and deadlock. The protests that led to Hasina’s ouster were marked by unprecedented unity among students, professionals, and activists, who came together to demand reforms and an end to the authoritarian regime. However, as the country marks the anniversary of Hasina’s fall, many are disillusioned with the current state of affairs, and the sense of unity and hope that defined the uprising has given way to despair.
Sinthia Mehrin Sokal, a final-year student of criminology at the University of Dhaka, remembers the blow to her head during the protests against the quota system in government jobs. The attack left her with 10 stitches and temporary memory loss. Sokal said the change they fought for remains out of reach, and the interim government no longer owns the uprising. “They’re selling the revolution,” she said, referring to the various political groups now jostling for power ahead of general elections expected next year.
The protests that brought down Hasina’s government were marked by widespread violence, with over 1,400 people killed and thousands wounded, according to the United Nations. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was installed on August 8, 2024, with a mandate to oversee the country’s transition to democracy. However, the government’s efforts to bring about reforms and ensure accountability for the killings during the protests have been slow, leading to widespread disillusionment among the people.
Sanjida Khan Deepti, whose 17-year-old son Anas was shot dead by the police during a peaceful march, said the reforms and justice for the July killings that they had hoped for are not happening. “We took to the streets for a better, peaceful and just country. If that doesn’t happen, then what was my son’s sacrifice for?” she asked.
The Yunus administration is expected to unveil a document outlining key reforms and a roadmap to achieve them. However, many are skeptical about the government’s ability to bring about meaningful change. Mohammad Golam Rabbani, a professor of history at Jahangirnagar University, said the unity that brought down Hasina’s government has not been safeguarded, and the new government has let it slip.
Rezaul Karim Rony, an analyst, warned that if the political forces fail to agree on reforms, instability could increase. Mubashar Hasan, adjunct fellow at Western Sydney University’s Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative, thinks a political deadlock is unlikely, but remains skeptical of the reforms themselves, calling them a “cosmetic reset”.
The country is facing numerous challenges, including a surge in crimes, including murder, robbery, and kidnapping. The police are struggling to maintain law and order, and the demoralization within the force is a major concern. Md Ijajul Islam, the executive director of the nonprofit Human Rights Support Society, said unless political parties rein in their activists, a demoralized police won’t be able to contain the situation.
The economy is showing some positive signs, with foreign reserves climbing and inflation dropping. However, widespread joblessness and a 20% tariff announced by the United States, the largest buyer of Bangladesh’s garments, threaten the livelihood of 4 million workers employed in the key sector.
As Bangladesh marks the anniversary of Hasina’s fall, the country is at a critical juncture. The road ahead is uncertain, and the people are watching with bated breath to see if the government can deliver on its promises of reform and accountability.