A year after a student-led uprising ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year tenure and forcing her to flee to India, Bangladesh is struggling to navigate a complex web of political instability, religious polarization, and deteriorating law and order. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, promised democratic reforms and a return to stability, but the nation remains mired in uncertainty.

A Fractured Political Scene

The political landscape in Bangladesh is increasingly chaotic. The student protesters who toppled Hasina have formed a new political party, aiming to disrupt the dominance of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Hasina’s now-banned Awami League. Critics, however, accuse the student-led party of cozying up to Yunus’ administration and leveraging state institutions for political gain.

Adding to the complexity, the Jamaat-e-Islami, a major Islamist party suppressed under Hasina, has reemerged as a political force. Aligned with the student-led party, it seeks to fill the void left by the Awami League, which faces legal challenges as Hasina is tried for crimes against humanity. The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are now locked in a power struggle, clashing over influence in government, judiciary, and even university campuses.

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The timing of the next parliamentary election—set for April 2026 by Yunus—remains contentious. The military pushed for a December 2025 vote, a proposal Yunus rejected, deepening political divides. “The interim government faces sky-high expectations to restore democracy, but as an unelected body, it lacks the mandate to unify the nation,” says Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the Asia Pacific Foundation.

Reforms Stumble Amid Division

Yunus has prioritized sweeping reforms before elections, including constitutional changes, judicial restructuring, and police modernization. Proposals include term limits for prime ministers and a bicameral parliament. However, consensus remains elusive. While the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami back some reforms, they disagree on key constitutional changes and the election timeline. The student-led party, aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami, supports delaying polls to allow more time for reforms, while the BNP pushes for an earlier vote.

“The reform agenda was meant to unify Bangladesh, but it’s become a lightning rod for division,” Kugelman notes. “Some want to see reforms through, while others prioritize elections.”

Human Rights and Rising Islamism

Human rights concerns have surged under Yunus’ leadership. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reports hundreds of attacks on minority Hindus and other groups over the past year. Hasina’s Awami League claims tens of thousands of its supporters have been arrested, allegations the interim government denies.

Meenakshi Ganguly of Human Rights Watch acknowledges that enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, rampant under Hasina, have ceased. However, she warns, “There’s been little progress on meaningful security reforms or building independent institutions.”

Meanwhile, Islamist groups are gaining ground, with some pushing for Sharia law and changes to women’s rights. Though historically marginal in elections, these factions are now seeking alliances with larger parties like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, further fragmenting the political landscape.

A Shifting Global Stance

Under Hasina, Bangladesh was a key Indian ally. Yunus’ administration, however, has pivoted toward China, securing significant investments during a March 2025 visit. While maintaining Western and UN support, Bangladesh faces new challenges with the United States. In January 2025, the Trump administration suspended USAID funds, forcing Dhaka to recalibrate its relationship with a US government increasingly focused on commercial interests.

“Navigating the Trump factor will be a major challenge,” Kugelman says. “Bangladesh must now engage a US administration that views it primarily through a business lens.”

As Bangladesh marks one year since the uprising, the path to stability remains uncertain. With political factions at odds, reforms stalled, and human rights concerns mounting, the nation faces a critical juncture in its quest for a democratic future.

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