Bangladesh’s interim government has approved the July National Charter, aiming to reform the nation’s politics, constitution, and institutions. The government plans to hold a national referendum on the charter, which was drafted after last year’s student-led protests, to determine its implementation. Muhammad Yunus, leading the interim administration, announced that the referendum will coincide with the parliamentary elections scheduled for early February. He emphasized that this concurrent scheduling could enhance the election’s vibrancy and efficiency without delaying reforms.
The July Charter proposes significant changes, including greater representation for women, limits on the prime minister’s tenure, expanded presidential authority, enhanced fundamental rights, and increased judicial independence. While most political parties signed the charter in October, the National Citizens Party—formed by leaders of last year’s protests and several left-leaning groups—boycotted it, citing concerns over the absence of a legal framework ensuring the implementation of the charter’s commitments.
Supporters view the charter as a cornerstone for institutional transformation, although critics worry that without legal backing or broad parliamentary consensus, its effects could remain largely symbolic. Yunus expressed hope that political parties will accept the move in the national interest, projecting that the country will transition toward a lively election and a “New Bangladesh.”
Activists from the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement gather at the University of Dhaka’s Teacher-Student Center (TSC) during anti-quota protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 13, 2024. — Reuters
Rallies take place in Dhaka to highlight the student-led movement.
Interim leader Yunus plans to speak to crowds outside parliament.
He warns that former autocrats are plotting to hinder progress.
Bangladesh’s interim leadership commemorated the one-year anniversary of ousting Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule by urging citizens to seize the “moment of opportunity” for reform.
Muhammad Yunus, who holds the Nobel Peace Prize and leads the caretaker government as chief advisor until the upcoming elections, issued a warning about those attempting to reverse the country’s recent gains.
“Today is a historic chapter in Bangladesh’s history,” Yunus said, celebrating the day that he claims freed the nation from decades of oppressive control.
The South Asian country, home to roughly 170 million people, has been embroiled in political instability since a student uprising toppled then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, ending her 15-year tenure.
The anniversary is a national holiday, with most streets in Dhaka remaining quiet as many Bangladeshis choose to relax rather than participate in protests.
Yunus is scheduled to address demonstrators outside parliament later in the evening, where he and leaders of major political parties will deliver a “proclamation.”
Conspiracy to Undermine Progress
Hasina’s time in power was marked by serious human rights violations, including mass arrests and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents. Yunus is committed to reforming and strengthening democratic institutions.
“The sacrifices of thousands have provided us with this rare chance for national renewal, and we must protect it at all costs,” Yunus stated in a letter released for the anniversary.
He expressed concern that the retired autocrats and their allies continue to plot to derail the progress Bangladesh has made.
While the interim government has pursued many reforms, reaching agreements on preventing a return to authoritarian rule remains a challenge. Progress has been slow amid political jockeying ahead of elections expected in early 2026.
“Discussions are ongoing with political parties and stakeholders regarding essential reforms, including changes to the political and electoral systems,” Yunus added.
Bangladesh’s temporary government announced on Saturday that it will introduce a set of democratic reforms on August 5, marking the one-year anniversary of the ousting of the previous authoritarian regime.
The South Asian country, home to approximately 170 million people, has been embroiled in political unrest since a student-led uprising toppled then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, ending her 15-year leadership.
Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate now serving as the chief adviser leading the caretaker government until elections take place, has stated he inherited a “completely broken” public administration system.
Yunus had previously committed to unveiling a “significant package” to revamp democratic institutions.
However, progress has been slow as political parties compete for control ahead of the early 2026 elections.
Yunus’s administration has cautioned that ongoing political power struggles could threaten the progress achieved so far.
On July 29, Yunus shared that he is working toward “building a broad national consensus around a renewed political system — one that guarantees inclusive, participatory, and credible elections.”
His office indicated that the “July Proclamation” would be “presented to the nation… in the presence of all political parties involved in the mass uprising.”
Under Hasina’s tenure, widespread human rights abuses were reported, including mass arrests and extrajudicial killings of political opponents.
Her government was also accused of politicizing the courts and civil service, manipulating election outcomes, and dismantling democratic safeguards on its authority.
Hasina, 77, fled to India, where she has ignored court orders to attend her ongoing trial on charges that amount to crimes against humanity.
Protests erupted on July 1, 2024, when university students demanded reforms to a quota system for public-sector jobs.
These demonstrations peaked on August 5, 2024, when thousands of protesters stormed Hasina’s palace as she escaped in a helicopter.
Muhammad Yunus, the interim prime minister of Bangladesh, gestures during a Ramadan Solidarity Iftar with Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on March 14, 2025. — Reuters
Yunus is not affiliated with any political party and has ruled out running for office.
The government is facing protests over wage issues and the dismissal of public servants.
The BNP is calling for early elections, warning of rising public anger.
Bangladesh is set to conduct a national election in the first half of April 2026, as announced by its acting prime minister on Friday. This announcement follows a period of an interim, unelected government that began after student-led unrest led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
Since August, former Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has been at the helm of the South Asian nation, which is home to 173 million people, after Hasina fled to India amidst violent protests against her administration.
However, Yunus’ government has also encountered significant unrest, with protests erupting last month over wage disputes and the dismissal of civil servants without extensive procedures.
“After assessing the ongoing reform initiatives, I am informing the public today that the next national election will take place at any moment during the first half of April 2026,” Yunus stated during a national address on Friday.
The election commission is expected to release a comprehensive plan for the election at a suitable time. Yunus, who is not aligned with any political party, has expressed disinterest in running for office.
Opposition groups, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been advocating for early elections, warning of escalating turmoil and “increasing dissatisfaction among the populace” if elections are not held by December.
The BNP leader and former prime minister, Khaleda Zia, was acquitted in January of corruption charges from 2008, clearing a path for her to participate in the upcoming elections.
Additionally, Hasina’s Awami League party was effectively barred from participating in the elections after the election commission suspended its registration last month.
Previously, Yunus’ government prohibited all Awami League activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing threats to national security after several days of protests.
Hasina, credited with significant economic progress but criticized for human rights infringements and cracking down on dissent, secured a fourth consecutive term in 2024, although the vote was boycotted by major opposition leaders, many of whom were either imprisoned or in exile.
Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, addresses the Trust Women conference in London on November 19, 2014. — Reuters
Yunus must stay in power for a smooth transition, says Faiz.
The resignation threat followed protests by the BNP against the interim government.
Minister Faiz warns military against interference in politics.
Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, “must remain” in his interim role to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power, stated a cabinet official and advisor on Friday.
The 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who assumed office after a major uprising last year, indicated he would resign if he did not receive support from political parties, according to sources close to him and his allies.
Since the student-led protests that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the country has experienced significant political unrest, with numerous groups demonstrating in the streets over various issues.
“For the sake of Bangladesh and to ensure a smooth democratic transition, Professor Yunus needs to hold his position,” stated Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, a special assistant to Yunus and head of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, in a Facebook post.
“The Chief Adviser is not contemplating stepping down,” he added, emphasizing that Yunus does not seek power. He later deleted this post.
The political situation in Bangladesh intensified this week, with clashing parties taking to the streets in the capital, Dhaka, each presenting their own demands.
Yunus’s reported threat to resign surfaced after thousands of supporters from the influential Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gathered in Dhaka, taking to the streets against the interim government for the first time.
Yunus has committed to holding elections by June 2026 at the latest in the predominantly Muslim nation with a population of around 170 million people.
However, BNP supporters—considered strong contenders in the upcoming elections and the first since Hasina’s ouster—have insisted that he set a specific election date.
‘Chaotic Phase’
Reportedly, Yunus’s relationship with the military has strained as well.
Local media and military sources have indicated that army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman stated on Wednesday that elections should occur by December, warning that Bangladesh is currently experiencing a “chaotic phase” and conditions are deteriorating.
Taiyeb issued a warning to the military on Friday, asserting, “The army shouldn’t engage in politics.” He added, “In any civilized nation, the military doesn’t intervene in political matters,” criticizing the military chief’s remarks.
‘Excessive Restrictions’
The military played a pivotal role in ending Hasina’s administration by refraining from suppressing the uprising, which resulted in over 1,400 protester deaths due to police violence.
It was Waker-Uz-Zaman who announced Hasina’s ouster, leading to a brief military takeover before power was handed over to Yunus.
On Thursday, the army released a statement aimed at countering divisions between the military and the public, claiming, “Certain interested parties are spreading misinformation to incite discord between the army and the general populace.” The statement detailed the hundreds of individuals sheltered in military bases during the upheaval to protect them from extrajudicial killings.
Among those the army claimed to have sheltered were 24 political figures, numerous judges, civil servants, academics, and over 525 police officers.
No specifics were provided on those accused of attempting to undermine the military’s support.
The National Citizen Party (NCP), formed largely by the students at the forefront of the uprising against Hasina and affiliated with Yunus, has previously accused the military of backing Hasina’s Awami League party.
Sheikh Hasina, now 77, remains in self-imposed exile in India, defying an arrest warrant tied to allegations of crimes against humanity related to the police crackdown.
This month, the government banned the Awami League following protests outside Yunus’s residence, a move criticized by Human Rights Watch as “an excessive restriction on fundamental freedoms similar to the previous government’s oppressive measures.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confers with Muhammad Yunus, the leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, during their meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 4, 2025. — Reuters
First meeting between Modi and Yunus since Hasina’s departure last year.
Modi emphasizes the need for a democratic, stable, and peaceful Bangladesh.
Yunus expresses his desire to collaborate with Modi to improve strained relations.
BANGKOK/NEW DELHI: During their first meeting since Sheikh Hasina was ousted as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the country’s interim leader to refrain from any inflammatory remarks that could harm bilateral relations, the Indian foreign ministry reported.
Relations between India and Bangladesh, previously strong under Hasina’s leadership, have soured since she left the country in August due to widespread student protests and sought refuge in India.
Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, recently assumed the role of Chief Advisor for Bangladesh’s interim government and met with Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.
“Prime Minister Modi emphasized that avoiding rhetoric that could poison relationships is crucial,” stated Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press briefing.
He added that Modi expressed India’s commitment to supporting a “democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh,” while also highlighting New Delhi’s intention to establish a “positive and constructive” relationship with Dhaka.
Officials from Bangladesh described the 40-minute dialogue between the two leaders as “open, productive, and constructive.”
Yunus conveyed his intention to collaborate with Modi to realign their nations’ ties for mutual benefits, according to a release from his office.
In Bangladesh, public sentiment has shifted against India, mainly due to its decision to harbor Hasina, with New Delhi remaining silent on Dhaka’s requests to extradite her for trial.
‘Atrocities’
Discussions included Bangladesh’s request for Hasina’s extradition, but details were not disclosed further, said Misri.
As part of the statement from Bangladesh, Yunus commented, “Hasina has made consistent, false, and inflammatory accusations against our interim government.”
He urged Indian officials to take necessary measures to prevent Hasina from making provocative statements while she remains in India, while Modi reassured that India does not take sides with any political party in Bangladesh.
India’s Misri noted that Modi asked Yunus to assist in maintaining border security and stability, expressing hope that Bangladesh would seriously investigate allegations of “atrocities” against minority groups, particularly Hindus.
The Indian government has frequently urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its Hindu minority, claiming they have faced targeted attacks since Yunus took over; however, Dhaka maintains that such violence is exaggerated and isn’t rooted in communal issues.
Harsh Pant, head of foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think tank, mentioned that this meeting might mark the beginning of reviving diplomatic engagement. “At this stage, stabilizing the relationship should likely be the primary focus,” he added.
The two countries, which share a 4,000 km (2,500 mile) border, have deep cultural and economic ties.
Modi and Yunus met during the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, which also includes participation from Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
